Germany and France try to restart the Berlin-Paris axis

The Declaration establishes mutual support between Paris and Berlin in order to “guarantee the energy supply” of both countries at a time when the war in Ukraine, sanctions against Russia and the end of Russian gas supply are at a tightrope. to the first European economy at the gates of a winter expected to be harsh. “Our countries need each other to get through the energy crisis next winter,” Borne said.

Borne’s official visit was originally scheduled for last September, but had to be postponed after Scholz tested positive for coronavirus. In October, Paris also canceled a ministerial meeting between the two governments at the last minute for scheduling reasons. These two delays sparked speculation about the state of the Paris-Berlin axis. this little melody It fuels the speculation that French President Emmanuel Macron and Chancellor Scholz have shown so far.

intimacy

Borne’s visit to Berlin wraps up a week in which three ministers from Scholz’s cabinet travel to Paris. This rapprochement between the two governments has been described by the German media as “reconciliation weekand it seems to seek a boost to the Berlin-Paris axis, which has been described a thousand times as the “engine” of the European Union.

Three heavyweights from the German government – Foreign Minister, green Annalena Baerbock, Economy Minister and Vice-Chancellor, also green Robert Habeck and Finance Minister, liberal Christian Lindner – recently met with President Macron. therefore, he may be looking for other interlocutors in Berlin beyond Chancellor Scholz.