French and German leaders meet to strengthen alliance

France and Germany are seeking to overcome divisions exposed by Russia’s war in Ukraine and cement their alliance with a day-long ceremony and talks on European security, energy and other challenges.

Germany’s entire cabinet met jointly in Paris on Sunday, as 300 politicians from both countries gathered at the Sorbonne to mark the 60th anniversary since the signing of the landmark treaty that cemented ties between today’s EU’s longtime foes.

French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Schulz will host two rounds of talks at the Elysee Palace, focusing first on energy and economic policy and then on defence.

He added that the European peace project was at a “tipping point” following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine last year.

“Putin’s imperialism will not win. We will not allow Europe to return to a time when violence replaced politics and our continent was torn apart by hatred and ethnic antagonism.”

Mr Macron added: “We will continue to stand steadfastly in support of the Ukrainian people in all areas.”

The war has exposed strategic differences between the two countries, particularly in European negotiations over how to deal with the resulting energy crisis and punish inflation, as well as future military investment.

Mr Macron called for a “new energy model” in the EU based on diversifying supplies and encouraging carbon-free energy production.

Aside from Ukraine, the immediate priority is to develop Europe’s response to subsidies to U.S. electric carmakers and others in the Biden administration’s Lower Inflation Act, according to senior French and German officials.

A Franco-German government conference is usually held at least once a year to coordinate policy. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the last meeting will be held in May 2021 via video conference.

Sunday’s gathering was the first face-to-face coalition government meeting of its kind since 2019. It was originally scheduled to take place in October but has been repeatedly postponed.

Officials are commemorating the 60th anniversary of the Elysee Treaty, signed Jan. 22, 1963, between French President and wartime anti-Nazi resistance leader Charles de Gaulle and West German Chancellor Konrad Adenauer.