During a joint press conference in Berlin, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz underscored a shared commitment to support friends in need. The statement came as Elisabeth Borne, the French Prime Minister, conducted an official visit to the German capital. The remarks coincided with the signing of a bilateral declaration focused on energy solidarity between France and Germany.
The declaration outlines a framework for mutual assistance aimed at ensuring reliable energy supplies for both nations. It arrives at a time when Western economies are grappling with the repercussions of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the subsequent sanctions, and disruptions in gas deliveries. As winter approaches, Berlin and Paris emphasize that cooperation is essential to weather the anticipated energy crunch and to safeguard the bloc’s economic stability. Borne highlighted the necessity of intergovernmental coordination to navigate what she described as a challenging energy landscape ahead.
Borne’s visit to Berlin followed a postponement in September after Scholz contracted a coronavirus infection. In October, another high-level scheduling issue led to the cancellation of a ministerial meeting between the two governments. The two delays fueled speculation about the strength and direction of the Paris-Berlin axis and raised questions about how the European Union’s core engines of cooperation—especially the partnership between France and Germany—will respond to mounting geopolitical and energy pressures.
intimacy
In a broader pattern, Borne’s Berlin engagement capped a week that saw three members of Scholz’s cabinet travel to Paris. Government circles in Germany have described the period as a reconnection week, reinforcing the view of Berlin and Paris as the driving force behind European integration. The observed momentum hints at renewed energy in the bilateral relationship and a shared readiness to address the EU’s strategic priorities through close coordination.
Key participants in this renewed dialogue include Germany’s foreign minister and Green Party leader Annalena Baerbock, economy minister and vice-chancellor Robert Habeck, and finance minister Christian Lindner of the Free Democrats. Their recent meetings with President Macron signal a broader effort to diversify channels of dialogue within Berlin and Paris. Analysts suggest that Macron may be seeking additional interlocutors in Berlin beyond Chancellor Scholz, aiming to ensure continuity and momentum in the Franco-German partnership amid a dynamic European security and economic landscape.