Skip to playerSkip to main content
  • 8 hours ago
Merz hosts Macron in Cologne for key defence talks one month after FCAS initiative collapse

Macron and Merz are holding the critical talks in a symbolic setting where President Charles de Gaulle and Chancellor Konrad Adenauer previously met and agreed on establishing friendly Franco-German ties.

READ MORE : http://www.euronews.com/2026/07/17/merz-hosts-macron-in-cologne-for-key-defence-talks-one-month-after-fcas-initiative-collaps

Subscribe to our channel. Euronews is available on Dailymotion in 12 languages
Transcript
00:01To breathe new life into Franco-German defense cooperation.
00:05This is one of the objectives of Friday's Franco-German Security and Defense Council meeting
00:11and the Joint Ministerial Council of the two countries.
00:14This meeting is taking place against a particular backdrop following last month's announcement
00:20that the Joint Future Combat Air System fighter jet project had failed
00:25due to disagreements between Airbus and Dassault.
00:27Another sensitive issue is the European Sky Shield initiative supported by Berlin
00:33and which relies heavily on American Patriot and Israeli-American Arrow 3 systems.
00:39For Paris, this project would increase Europe's dependence on the US
00:43and be detrimental to the European defense industry.
00:47Discussions could, however, make progress on a French-led nuclear deterrent.
00:51The two countries are also expected to agree on a Franco-German steering group
00:56whose cooperation will focus on early warning radar and deep strikes.
01:00Thanks.
01:01Thanks.
01:03Thanks.
01:03Thanks.
01:04Thanks.
Comments

Recommended