00:00German Chancellor Friedrich Merz
00:02says his top priority for this election period
00:05is to draw Germany out of its recession
00:08and to strengthen Europe's defence.
00:11Speaking to journalists at the Chancellor's traditional summer briefing,
00:15Merz underlined his close relationship with European leaders
00:18Macron, Tusk and Starmer
00:20and said he had been working intensively with US partners
00:23on tariff policies and the situation with Israel and Gaza.
00:28The German leader developed sharp criticism about the EU
00:32which he said is too bureaucratic and slow to solve its citizens' problems.
00:37He emphasised that the migration problem needs to be solved.
00:40Merz showcased his diplomacy by refusing to badmouth
00:43Merkel's 2015 migration policy of Verschaffendas
00:47and said that Merz's government is on course to correct it.
00:51Merz's answers on Friday marked a shift in tone from the previous government
00:55as he attempts to strike a balance between socialist and conservative policies
01:00within the coalition.
01:02Germany is facing an uphill battle to become more productive and more competitive
01:06that is likely to define Merz's leadership for the next three years.
01:11Liv Stroud, in Berlin, for Euronews.
01:14Erz œg Ch Disprince
01:15Erzøg N believes the
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