Following a working lunch at the Élysée Palace, the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, and the French President, Emmanuel Macron, displayed, on Tuesday 11 January, their convergence of views on the European sovereignty agenda as well as their “will to move our Europe forward together” over the next six months.
This meeting allowed the two leaders to review “the major international issues” and the major events that will mark the six-month period, such as the tensions with Russia over Ukraine, the sixth European Union/African Union summit on 17 and 18 February, and the informal European summit on the new growth and investment model on 10 and 11 March.
Before detailing their ambitions to the press, the two interlocutors expressed their “deep sadness” at the death, on the same day, of David Sassoli, “who was not only President of the European Parliament, but a friend”, said Mr Macron (see EUROPE 12866/1). Mr Michel paid tribute to a “great, passionate, sincere, generous and authentic European”.
Russia/Ukraine. On this issue, firmness with regard to Russia and maintaining the channels of dialogue “to find a way of appeasement, and, among Europeans, to build a common security architecture for ourselves and our neighbourhood” will be the order of the day.
Both said the EU had been “very engaged” from the beginning and would remain so, even if it was not present at the US-Russia Geneva talks on collective security on Monday.
The ‘Normandy format’ allows Europe to be represented “through Germany and France” Mr Macron said, adding that “when it comes to issues that have an impact on European security, Europe’s neighbourhood and its borders, it is up to Europe and its Member States to be around the table. That is why the Strategic Compass is there”. Along the same lines, Charles Michel added: “We are committed and we will ensure that the EU is active in defending security”.
Africa. At this important summit, “we have the common will to build a new alliance, to re-found our European Union/African Union partnership and to do it with and for our youth”, stressed Mr Macron.
The objective is “to reduce inequalities, to respond to health challenges, to propose solutions for investment in green infrastructure, to support prosperity and peace, to promote more sustainable mobility and to find effective mechanisms to combat trafficking and smugglers”, said the French president.
This EU/AU summit will be organised with Charles Michel, in close cooperation with the European Commission and all Member States.
Charles Michel expressed the hope that the February summit would “decide on this new paradigm, be it in the field of investments, climate change, the digital revolution, infrastructure, connectivity, security or governance”.
Responding to a question on a possible strengthening of EU sanctions against Mali as part of a European approach to defence and Africa, Mr Macron said he supported the “unprecedented” sanctions imposed by WAEMU and ECOWAS on Mali on Sunday for postponing elections.
He said that a political declaration will be adopted at the Gymnich (see EUROPE 12866/4) and that before the end of the month, a ministerial meeting will be organised so that the EU can “accompany these sanctions”, which he said was “a courageous and clear position”.
New European growth model. The informal European Council in March should allow for progress to be made on digital, climate, security and defence issues and joint investments, according to Mr Macron.
In Mr Michel's view, it will provide “an opportunity to move gradually from managing the Covid crisis to consolidating a recovery project around innovation and investment”. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)