The weakened German-Franco motor of the European Union might put
on some new dynamics as new French President Nicolas Sarkozy and
German Chancellor Angela Merkel vowed on Wednesday to work together
to tackle the EU institutional crisis.
Just hours after taking over from Jacques Chirac, Sarkozy made a
symbolic visit to Germany, his first trip abroad as the French
leader, to highlight the importance of the traditional
Franco-German partnership.
Speaking alongside Merkel at a photo opportunity before their
talks and dinner, Sarkozy stressed that he wants to get to work
immediately with the first emergency being to "get the European
Union out of its current paralysis."
"It is necessary that Germany which holds the EU presidency, and
France which has always been its privileged partner in Europe, see
eye to eye on this issue," said the new French president.
Merkel, while describing Sarkozy's visit to Berlin on the day of
his inauguration as a sign of the "great friendship" between the
two European powers, also stressed the importance to "put the
European Union on a new contractual basis up until 2009."
?
High on their agenda is to find a way to relaunch the stalled EU
constitutional treaty which was rejected by French and Dutch voters
in referendums two years ago.
During election campaigns, Sarkozy proposed the idea of a
"minitreaty" comprised of the essentials of the ill-fated
constitution to allow the institutions of the 27-nation bloc to
function fully.
He has also promised to push a new charter through French
parliament instead of attempt another referendum, which certainly
is a good news for Berlin.
Merkel is apparently in an agreement with Sarkozy on the
simplified plans in a bid to rescue the core of the constitutional
proposal.
Merkel said in Brussels on Tuesday that she looked forward to
discussing with Sarkozy his plan to renew the EU's "capacity for
action."
The German chancellor has made reviving the constitutional
project a priority of Germany's EU presidency and hopes to broker
agreement at a June 21-22 EU summit on a roadmap for a new treaty
to be in place by 2009.
On Wednesday's public appearance, Sarkozy offered little details
on his "mini treaty" proposal. How far he would support Merkel's EU
vision is still an open question.
As reasons for Berlin to have guarded optimism, the two leaders
have much in common. Both are conservatives, and are united in
their support for closer ties with Washington and in their
opposition to Turkey's bid to join the EU. They also favor reforms
of the welfare state in the era of globalization.
But some German analysts also believe that Sarkozy could be a
"uncomfortable partner" for Berlin, who has the reputation of being
a hardliner, especially when national interests are concerned.
Berlin and Paris would find themselves not in the same boat when
the EU budget is revised next year and Paris might come under
pressure to reduce domestic farm subsidies.
?
The French leader is also expected to fight hard as far as
agricultural subsidies and market access are concerned in the Doha
round of multilateral trade talks.
On Wednesday, Sarkozy also surprised Berlin by describing
solving highly sensitive financial problems at Franco-German
aerospace giant EADS as the second emergency he wants to
tackle.
During election campaigns, Sarkozy vowed to dismantle the
shareholder agreement which guarantees a parity between France and
Germany within the parent company of Airbus. But Germany will
certainly resist any French attempt to get greater control of the
company.
?
The German news magazine Der Spiegel commented in its
latest edition that "the new French president is viewed in Berlin
as a staunch defender of French national interests. The Germans,
while hoping for mildness in the office, are also ready for
self-defense if necessary."
(Xinhua News Agency May 19, 2007)
