French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Sunday staged their «unwavering» support for Ukraine that will last «as long as necessary» by taking advantage of the Franco-German summit being held in Paris.
«After February 24,» the date of the start of the latest Russian offensive on Ukraine, «our union did not distance itself or shirk its responsibilities,» Macron stressed after a ceremony at the Sorbonne University on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the Elysée Treaty that laid the foundations of Franco-German reconciliation after World War II. Macron thus underlined the «unwavering support» of Paris and Berlin to the Ukrainian authorities.
«The future, like the past, rests on the cooperation of our two countries as the engine of a united Europe,» added Olaf Scholz, who stressed that this «Franco-German engine» is a «compromise machine» that allows «transforming conflicts and divergent interests into convergent actions,» reports the daily ‘Le Parisien’.
Thus, France and Germany will continue to support Ukraine «as long as necessary». «We will continue to provide Ukraine, as long as necessary, with all the support it needs,» Scholz has reiterated. «Together, as Europeans, to defend our European peace project», he added.
Scholz has also thanked France for its friendship. «Thank you, Mr. President, thank you from the bottom of my heart,» Scholz noted in French addressing the Gallic leader. «Thank you, French brothers and sisters for your friendship,» he added, according to the DPA news agency.
The chancellor stressed the need for a sovereign Europe, a goal for which both countries are working together. «Joining forces where nations alone have lost assertiveness: in safeguarding our values in the world, in protecting our democracy against authoritarian forces,» he stressed.
«But also in the competition for modern technologies, in obtaining raw materials, in the supply of energy or in space travel,» he listed.
The Elysée Treaty was fundamental in building the alliance between France and Germany. It was signed 18 years after the end of World War II, which pitted the two powers against each other.
Source: (EUROPA PRESS)
