Macron’s visit, which includes the German capital, Berlin, the city of Dresden in the east, and Münster in the west, is the first official visit by a French president to Germany in 24 years, according to Reuters.
The visit is receiving follow-up and interest as an indication of the soundness of German-French relations, which drives the decision-making process in the European Union, at a time when Europe is facing major challenges, including the Ukraine war and the possibility of Donald Trump winning the US presidency in the November elections.
Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz differ greatly in leadership style, and have clashed publicly over various issues, from defense to nuclear energy, since Schulz took office in late 2021.
However, the two European leaders recently reached compromises on several issues, including financial reform and changes needed to support the energy market, allowing the European Union to conclude agreements and allow a more united front to be formed.
“There is tension in German-French relations, but one of the reasons for this is specifically their dealings with some difficult issues,” said Jan Wernert of the Jacques Delors Institute in Berlin, noting that the two countries touched on the need to expand the European Union eastward.
One of the points of disagreement between France and Germany is the issue of European defense, especially if Trump wins the presidential elections on November 5.
Defense experts say that Trump’s steps as a reliable ally are less predictable than his rival, the Democratic Party candidate, President Joe Biden.
Macron, who is accompanied on his trip by his wife Brigitte, will begin the visit on Sunday with a meeting in Berlin with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier before passing through the historic Brandenburg Gate with the city’s mayor, Kai Wegener.
Perhaps the most important stop of the visit will be a meeting of the governments of the two countries to be held on Tuesday in Meseberg near Berlin, where the two governments will begin efforts to find common ground on two major issues: defense and competitiveness.
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