International   

France visit no ritual: Merkel

Vaiju Naravane

Paris: Angela Merkel, Germany's youngest Chancellor, on her first official trip abroad stressed the importance of the Franco-German relationship here on Wednesday.

Ms. Merkel, the conservative leader of the second "grand" or left-right coalition in German post-war history, made France her first foreign destination as Chancellor. Her visit is seen as a fresh affirmation of the strength of the Franco-German relationship that has been the bedrock of European construction over the past 40 years.

French President Jacques Chirac said the two countries were united in their wish for "a political and social Europe" and that "a truly strong Franco-German axis" was necessary for the 25-member European Union.

Strong relationship

Ms. Merkel denied that visiting France first was just part of a ritual that she was observing. "This is not about ritual, it is about a deep conviction that a strong relationship between Germany and France is both necessary and beneficial to Europe," Ms. Merkel told reporters.

She said she wished to keep up the "rhythm" of Franco-German meetings, and invited Mr. Chirac to visit Berlin in early December. Mr. Chirac had built strong ties with Ms. Merkel's Social Democrat predecessor, Gerhard Schroeder, and hopes that the relationship will continue to flourish now, according to his entourage.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Sri Lankan Cabinet sworn in
France visit no ritual: Merkel
Chinese town resumes water supply
Pinter to skip ceremony
Chavez comes to the rescue of U.S. poor
Indian medicines for Kilinochchi hospital
`Made in India model' proposed for advertisement industry

Copyright © 2005, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu