Scholz underscores Franco-German alliance in 1st foreign trip as chancellor

Paris, Dec 10 (EFE).- French president Emmanuel Macron and German chancellor Olaf Scholz on Friday embarked on a new era of post-Angela Merkel bilateral relations with a meeting in Paris.

It was 63-year-old Scholz’s first foreign visit since he officially took to the helm of the Social Democrat-led coalition government on Wednesday in a move that has become a tradition to highlight the strength of the Franco-German alliance at the heart of Europe.

With Merkel’s 16 years in power a closed chapter, Macron, in office since 2017, is now the more experienced leader of the European Union’s two most powerful nations.

Macron described Friday’s encounter as important to “lay the foundations” of a strong cooperation between France and Germany.

France has a busy schedule lined up for the coming year, with presidential elections in April that coincide with the country’s turn in charge of the rotational presidency of the Council of the EU.

Scholz said the pair had a friendly conversation in which they discussed challenges such as Russia-Ukraine tensions, border security and the economy.

They also broached policy divergences on topics such as nuclear energy, which provides 70% of France’s electricity but is generally opposed in Germany.EFE

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