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Germany - Federal Government

Press conference with Federal Chancellor Merz and President Macron in Toulon

"The Franco-German engine has started up again", said Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz at the press conference following the Franco-German Council of Ministers in Toulon. The Federal Chancellor went on to say that a strong and united Europe was the best answer to the major challenges facing both countries.

Transcript of press conference
Friday, 29 August 2025

He added that Germany and France were united by an unshakable will to overcome internal and external challenges together. Such were the words of Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz at the press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron following the 25th Franco-German Council of Ministers "Our freedom, our security and our prosperity must be safeguarded in a world whose order is changing rapidly and profoundly", said Federal Chancellor Merz in Toulon.

A meeting of the Franco-German Defence and Security Council also took place as part of the bilateral cabinet meeting. In addition to Federal Chancellor Merz and President Macron, the respective foreign and defence ministers as well as the French Chief of the Defence Staff and the Chief of Staff, Bundeswehr, also took part.

The issues discussed by the Federal Chancellor at the press conference included:

• Peace in Ukraine: Federal Chancellor Merz praised the "excellent teamwork" in recent weeks. This diplomatic core work was, he said, an important investment in a free, secure and prosperous Europe. "We fulfil this joint leadership role in Europe together", said Merz. In addition to Ukraine and the USA, he added, all European neighbours, "big and small, western and eastern", were included.
• Strengthening European security and defence: According to Federal Chancellor Merz, the discussions in the Franco-German Defence and Security Council as part of the cabinet meeting were dedicated in particular to the goal of strengthening Europe's security and defence capabilities. "This is not a replacement for NATO. Rather, it strengthens the European part of NATO," emphasised Federal Chancellor Merz.
• Franco-German economic agenda: Making Europe competitive again was another fundamental goal according to Federal Chancellor Merz: "We want our economy to grow in Europe. We want strong companies, and we want attractive jobs", said Merz. This, he said, required a fundamental change of course. To this end, a Franco-German economic agenda was adopted in Toulon.