On Tuesday 28 May, the German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, and the French President, Emmanuel Macron, agreed that “the EU (must) become a true geopolitical actor and security provider, able to respond to today’s security challenges and strengthen the international order”.
In a joint declaration, they underline their countries’ firm determination to strengthen European and, more broadly, Euro-Atlantic security, “notably through strong and credible European defence capabilities”.
The Franco-German couple say they are determined to improve and accelerate production in Europe, and explain that they will be discussing how the development of useful, long-term instruments and strategies could contribute to this objective.
“By strengthening the European defence technological and industrial base, we will increase our readiness and provide capabilities to match our needs and ambition in the context of rising threats and security challenges”, the declaration said.
France and Germany also believe that strengthening European defence capabilities will help to consolidate the European pillar within NATO.
The two leaders also advocate a combination of nuclear, conventional and missile defence capabilities, complemented by space and cyber capabilities.
Paris and Berlin also reiterated their determination to continue supporting Ukraine for as long as it takes and “with all the necessary intensity”. In front of the media, the French President announced that Paris would authorise Kyiv to use its weapons to strike on Russian soil.
See the statement: https://aeur.eu/f/cet (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)