- Title: Macron says he will discuss Ukraine initiatives with Zelenskiy next week
- Date: 10th December 2021
- Summary: PARIS, FRANCE (DECEMBER 10, 2021) (AGENCY POOL) FRENCH PRESIDENT, EMMANUEL MACRON, AND GERMAN CHANCELLOR, OLAF SCHOLZ, ARRIVING FOR NEWS CONFERENCE CHANDELIER / NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS (SOUNDBITE) (French) FRENCH PRESIDENT, EMMANUEL MACRON, SAYING: "This morning, I had the chance to speak with (Ukrainian) President (Volodymyr) Zelenskiy on this matter. We will discuss this together, and next week at the summit on eastern partnerships in Brussels, next Wednesday, we will have the chance to decide on new initiatives. But the Normandy format preserves its relevance. I think it allows for a working process between Ukraine and Russia." JOURNALIST ASKING QUESTION (SOUNDBITE) (French) FRENCH PRESIDENT, EMMANUEL MACRON, SAYING: "I think our first goal is to avoid any unnecessary tension and what I would call self-fulfilling information. I think the desire of all of us, both the Americans and Europeans, is to show that we are very attentive on the situation, but that there is no escalation whatsoever." JOURNALIST ASKING QUESTION (SOUNDBITE) (French) FRENCH PRESIDENT, EMMANUEL MACRON, SAYING: "We also discussed our cooperation in Europe, at a time when we have assumed the presidency of the G7 and the European Union, and so we have a common agenda on social issues, on the issue of climate and digital transition, on a common response to the influx of migrants, on matters of investment and institutional openness. We clearly demonstrated a desire to work together, and I believe these first exchanges really translate into a solid convergence of views." NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS (SOUNDBITE) (French) FRENCH PRESIDENT, EMMANUEL MACRON, SAYING: "During these last four years, I have worked with (former German chancellor) Angela Merkel on all these topics, often calling our counterparts together, and with what I believe to be an efficiency in several aspects. And I know that we will continue together, dear Olaf, this close coordination. In any case, we have agreed today on several common initiatives, a shared desire to work on these topics together, and move forward on a common framework." FRENCH, GERMAN, AND EU FLAGS MACRON AND SCHOLZ LEAVING AFTER NEWS CONFERENCE
- Embargoed: 24th December 2021 13:31
- Keywords: France Germany Macron Scholz chancellor meeting
- Location: PARIS, FRANCE
- City: PARIS, FRANCE
- Country: France
- Topics: Diplomacy/Foreign Policy,Europe,Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA001F7GH1ZB
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: PLEASE NOTE: EDIT 5059-FRANCE-GERMANY/ANALYST CONTAINS SOUNDBITES OF ANALYST ON FRANCE-GERMANY RELATIONS, RUSSIA, MIGRANTS AND DEFENCE STRATEGY / EDIT 5167-FRANCE-GERMANY/WELCOME CONTAINS SHOTS OF ARRIVAL, MEETING
French President Emmanuel Macron said he had spoken to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Friday (December 10) and that they would discuss new initiatives to unlock peace talks on the conflict in eastern Ukraine when they meet next week.
Speaking at a news conference after a meeting with Scholz in Paris, Macron said "any unnecessary tension and what I call self-fulfilling information" should be avoided, adding that the Normandy format of talks, which involves Ukraine, Russia, France, and Germany, remains relevant.
Macron and Scholz pledged to work closely together in their first working meeting on Friday, despite differences on issues including green investment rules and the EU budget.
The trip to Paris was Scholz's first visit abroad since he became Germany's chancellor on Wednesday (December 8), ending 16 years of conservative rule under Angela Merkel and launching a coalition that has pledged to further strengthen European integration.
"During the last four years I have worked with Angela Merkel on all these subjects ... I know that we will continue together, dear Olaf, this close collaboration," Merkel told Scholz, while Scholz said they had talked about how to work together to make Europe stronger.
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