After talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, French President Emmanuel Macron said that France and Germany share the "same goal" of "European sovereignty" and "stability" in the Eastern Mediterranean.
The talks took place at the Fort de Brégançon, in southeastern France, the French Presidents’ summer residence.
Macron also stated that France and Germany would act in a coordinated way and that both countries want a de-escalation of tensions and respect for sovereignty.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CEHelZjj6AQ/
On her part, the German Chancellor noted that both countries had agreed "not to accept attacks on the sovereignty of the Member States of the European Union" and they "are in favour of resolving the problems through dialogue and not through escalating tensions."
Earlier in the day, Macron said his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is pursuing an “expansionist policy” that “mixes nationalism and Islam” that is not only “incompatible with European interests”, but is the opposite.
Ich freue mich über das außergewöhnliche gemeinsame Engagement unserer beiden Länder, sowohl auf bilateraler als auch auf europäischer und internationaler Ebene. Gemeinsam sind wir stärker. https://t.co/rGOtq3pJu4
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) August 20, 2020
It is recalled last week, President Emmanuel Macron announced France will increase its military presence in the Eastern Mediterranean.
“The situation in the Eastern Mediterranean is worrying. Turkey’s unilateral oil exploration decisions are causing tensions. These must stop in order to allow peaceful dialogue between neighbours and allies within NATO,” he posted on Facebook.
“I have decided to temporarily strengthen the French military presence in the Eastern Mediterranean in the coming days, in cooperation with European partners including Greece,” Macron added.
https://www.facebook.com/EmmanuelMacron/posts/2842476725984895
“Europe needs to take a thorough look at security issues in the Mediterranean. I will soon convene a conference of the countries of the European Union’s South,” he posted.
“In the Mediterranean, energy and security issues are of fundamental importance. They are turned into an object of controversy by forces that are increasingly emerging, and against which the EU still has little influence. Europe must defend its sovereignty,” Macron added.
He also called for EU sanctions against Turkey for what he described as “violations” of Greek and Cypriot sovereignty over their territorial waters.
