But differences on policy could put Germany, France at odds

BERLIN - German Chancellor Angela Merkel and newly elected French President Emmanuel Macron met on Monday to address a range of issues concerning the countries as well as the European Union amid inner differences and doubts from outside.

Some German media outlets had dubbed the meeting as the beginning of "Merkron" era before it kicked off, noting that the like-minded two politicians would enhance French-German relations and create a reason for hope in the trouble-riddled bloc.

One optimistic sign was that Merkel and Macron seemed to hit it off in their first gathering.

Their talks, lasting for about an hour, covered some groundbreaking themes like EU reforms, as Merkel and Macron said they had agreed to change some existing treaties in order to strengthen the 28-member union.

"Europe can only prosper when France and Germany prosper," Merkel said.

Her statement was echoed by the 39-year-old Macron, who said that "there is absolutely no taboo for us here".

Germany and France have traditionally been regarded as the driving force behind European integration, but the Brexit spillovers and the rising far-rights on the continent have cast shadows on their efforts.

EU integration supporters in the two countries were emboldened this month after Macron defeated the rightist opponent Marine Le Pen, while Merkel's pro-EU Christian Democratic Union have stood firm during three state elections in a row.

Despite all the positive talk about the meeting and the messages released in it, some analysts warned that Merkel and Macron might have envisioned different structures in the EU, which could put the two countries at odds.

Der Spiegel said that Macron has long wanted a union that gives Brussels greater powers, instead of seeing Berlin "steer the wheel".

The new host of Elysee Palace had earlier suggested the setup of a European finance ministerial post and a budget for the eurozone, something widely seen as an attempt to transfer more legitimacy from national governments to the EU and could raise eyebrows in Berlin.

He also backs the issuing of joint Euro Bonds, which also seems suspicious in the eyes of Merkel's CDU party.

On May 8, Merkel told her party members that Germany would not need to change its economic course just because Macron was elected.

There are also a number of skeptics within Merkel's government that have objected to Macron's closer integration calls, for fear of the possible aftermaths that Germany may have to offer "free rides" while suffering more threats on the job and security fronts.

Xinhua

(China Daily 05/17/2017 page12)