First Franco-German Ministerial Council since #AachenTreaty taking place today in Toulouse with #Merkel & #Macron. π©πͺπ«π· will discuss #Brexit, arms exports & industrial policy before the EU Summit tomorrow. Difficult times for π«π·π©πͺ relations. /1 (Thread)
Originally the βmotorβ of integration, π©πͺπ«π· have had several points of disagreement in the past years. #Macron decided to take action at πͺπΊ level by himself without waiting for slow π©πͺ partner. But the rejection of #Goulard shows the limits of Macronβs (lone) power. /2
π©πͺπ«π· issues are multiple: Both countries have very different visions on core issues such as #budget, #climate & #defence. For instance π©πͺ stopped arms export to SA after #Khashoggi , π«π· didnβt. π«π· wants to spend more on #MFF, π©πͺ part of the βFrugal Fiveβ. /3
Same goes for responses to give to #Google who refuses to implement the EU copyright directive: π«π· wants a strict response, π©πͺ probably cautious of sanctions on Google due to possible negative US response for its car industry & unfavourable public opinion in π©πͺ on this topic. /4
Generally good that #Merkel & #Macron try to harmonise positions before βcrunch summitβ that will mostly focus on #Brexit. However, both countries should seriously think on how they could relaunch the π«π·π©πͺ partnership in such crucial times for πͺπΊ /5
For this to happen, π©πͺ needs a strategy that goes beyond the #Merkel strategy of βwait & seeβ & make serious proposals to #Macron. π«π· needs to give a smart response after the #Goulard rejection to ensure strong #vdL Commission. The end. /6
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