France and Germany, cooperation resumes in the name of defence—including nuclear

Brussels – United again, cooperating again, in the name of defence, particularly against Russia. Thus ends the first “joint council of ministers” between France and Germany of the Friedrich Merz era, held today in Toulon, chaired by the Chancellor and French President Emmanuel Macron (who carefully avoided speaking in public about the profound crisis affecting the French government). The bilateral initiative, which started 25 years ago, provides for two meetings a year between the two governments. 

In particular, following the meeting, a joint statement was issued, outlining the twenty or so projects on which the two countries will collaborate in various fields, and announcing their intention to deepen bilateral security cooperation. This work will include a missile warning system as part of an initiative called “Jewel”. In addition, the two governments agreed to intensify their efforts to develop the Main Ground Combat System (MGCS) tanks. 

Cooperation will go even further: the nuclear defence, described as the “cornerstone” of NATO deterrence, with France being the only EU member state with such weapons. 

The idea is to develop a “common strategic culture” by connecting “security and defence objectives and strategies.” 

Germany and France also pledged to support Ukraine’s war effort, which “we will not abandon,” by ensuring the dispatch of defensive weapons: “Despite intensive international diplomatic efforts, Russia shows no intention of ending its war of aggression against Ukraine,” the joint statement said. 

“Together, France and Germany want to give new impetus to Europe: more competitive, more productive, and more sovereign,” Macron summarised when meeting the press. According to Merz, Paris and Berlin “share the same lucid vision of the main internal and external challenges they face. 

Joint projects span a range of areas, including energy, trade, industry, advanced technology, competitiveness, and the single market. However, controversial issues, such as the Mercosur trade agreement, supported by Germany but strongly opposed by France, were apparently set aside. The final joint declaration limited itself to talking about the intention to work together on “safeguard measures in strategic sectors, in particular agriculture.”