Germany – Meeting between M. Benjamin Haddad, Minister Delegate for Europe, and his new German counterpart, Mr Gunther Krichbaum (8 May 2025)
Today, Thursday 8 May 2025, M. Benjamin Haddad, Minister Delegate for Europe, hosted a meeting in Paris with his new German counterpart, Mr Gunther Krichbaum, Minister of State for Europe, on his first official visit. The visit falls under the framework of especially intense bilateral contacts since the new government took office, with the meeting in Paris between the new chancellor, Friedrich Merz, and French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday 7 May, and the meeting between the two foreign ministers on the same day. The meetings provided an opportunity to recall the ties of friendship uniting the two countries and discuss the plans France and Germany intend to pursue jointly, with a view to deepening the bilateral relationship in order to promote Europe’s strategic autonomy.
The Minister Delegate for Europe and Secretary-General for Franco-German Cooperation, M. Benjamin Haddad, spoke to his new German counterpart, the Minister of State for Europe and Secretary-General for Franco-German Cooperation, Gunther Krichbaum, at the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs today, 8 May 2025. The latter was visiting Paris for his first visit abroad since he took office.
The two partners exchanged their ideas on an ambitious, practical, immediate Franco-German agenda for Europe. They intend to deepen Franco-German cooperation and adapt Franco-German institutions to benefit a stronger, more sovereign Europe.
Cross-border issues and the monitoring and implementation of priority projects resulting from the Aachen Treaty were also discussed.
On the many current European policy issues (necessary EU internal reforms, the Multiannual Financial Framework, competitiveness, enlargement, cooperation with third countries, as well as the rule of law, democratic resilience and the fight against disinformation and cyber interference), the two ministers shared their desire to strengthen further their coordination both bilaterally and in the so-called “Weimar” format with Poland.
This first visit signals the Franco-German tandem’s determination to write a new chapter in the history of Europe, to promote its security, independence and prosperity.