The governments of Germany and France will meet for a two-day joint Cabinet retreat in Hamburg beginning on Monday to try to patch up ties.
Franco-German cooperation has long been the motor of European policymaking, but the relationship hit the skids after Olaf Scholz became German chancellor in 2021.
The high-level meetings on Monday and Tuesday in the northern German port city would bring together Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron, who took office six years ago.
They took to office along with numerous ministers from both countries.
Among the major topics expected to be discussed include industrial support, European technological self-sufficiency and the enlargement of the European Union (EU) as well as Africa policy.
The neighbors have chafed over everything from security matters to the EU’s energy policy and fiscal rules.
In a speech last year in Prague on Europe’s future, Scholz failed to even mention France a slight that did not go down well in Paris.
Berlin and Paris were not on the same wavelength when it comes to defense, for example.
Macron was insisting that EU members sign procurement contracts with industries in the bloc i.e. French firms rather than making deals with U.S. and Israeli companies, as Germany has done.
The leaders have sought to strengthen their bond.
Scholz visited France in January, and top officials from both countries have travelled for more frequent meetings.
Macron had planned to make a high-profile state visit to Germany earlier this year but it was postponed due to nationwide unrest in France following a police shooting.
That visit is now due to take place next year.
The chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee in the Bundestag, Michael Roth, of Scholz’s Social Democrats, called on both countries to show more determined cooperation.
“At the moment, things are very unambitious,’’ he told the RND media group.
Both partners must make an effort to make more of their leadership responsibility for Europe.
However, the meeting would be overshadowed by the deadly attacks by the Palestinian militant group Hamas on Israel.
This has triggered a massive military confrontation, with the combined death toll among Israelis and Palestinians at more than 1,000.
The Hamburg talks would begin with a tour of the Airbus aircraft plant in the city as well as a tour of the harbor.
A joint news conference with Scholz and Macron on Tuesday would end the retreat.
