Cazeneuve, Merkel Reaffirm Paris-Berlin Partnership

France’s new premier Bernard Cazeneuve said the French-German partnership remains a “daily lived reality”.

Welcoming him on his first visit to Berlin, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said a strong Europe depends on their two nations.

Cazaneuve on Monday began a two-day visit to Berlin, emphasizing that the Paris-Berlin dialog was important for Europe in turbulent times in which populists had become louder and the EU faced strains.

Answers had to be communicated to those who had doubts about Europe’s “added value”, said France’s premier on his first bilateral trip abroad, Deutsche Welle reported.

“It’s also our joint obligation to push for the stability of the eurozone and to ensure growth and employment,” said Cazeneuve, referring to joblessness, which is relatively high among young people in France.

Merkel told a Berlin news conference that Germany and France were “intertwined” through close trade relations.

Merkel vowed intensive consultation with France on anti-terror initiatives. 

“Danger could only be mitigated through close cooperation,” she added.

Only indirectly did Cazeneuve refer to the new US President Donald Trump, saying it was good that Paris and Berlin spoke with one voice on transatlantic relations.