admin“German-French collaboration is, for us, essential. It comprises a very broad line-up of topics. For us it is of enormous importance,” government spokesman Steffen Seibert told a news conference when asked about the remarks.
Seibert pointed out that the remarks were made in a draft text for the Socialists’ party conference.
“As spokesman for the government, I don’t comment on statements by parties in other countries,” he said.
“For us it’s not the parties that count, for us government action counts. The direct co-operation with the French president, with Prime Minister (Jean-Marc) Ayrault, with the ministers counts,” he said.
“That looks quite different,” he added.
Germany and France may have different views on individual issues but “that is not so new”, Seibert said, stressing the EU’s two biggest economies were “completely different countries” with their own economic and political landscapes.
“But that hasn’t in recent decades and won’t in the future, prevent a close, friendly co-operation which is good for Germany, good for France and good for Europe,” he added.
In a draft document on Europe leaked on Friday, President Francois Hollande’s Socialist Party pilloried Merkel for being “selfish” in her drive for eurozone austerity to fight Europe’s debt crisis.
It also accused conservative Merkel, who faces elections on September 22, of being obsessed with “Berlin’s trade balance and her electoral future”. – AFP.
Online Reporter