- 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
- 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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