Sarkozy and Merkel find agreement on key EU issues
By Honor Mahony
French President Nicolas Sarkozy and his German counterpart, Angela Merkel, appear to have reached a deal on two key issues, with both leaders on Monday referring to the friendship between the two countries after months of cool relations.
Following talks on the margins of the CeBIT information technology trade fair in Hanover Germany on Monday (3 March), Berlin and Paris reached agreement on France's planned Mediterranean union and on how to approach European Commission proposals to reduce pollution from new cars.
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Germany is strongly opposed to the car plans, feeling they unfairly hit German manufacturers, but Ms Merkel announced that a "deal is envisaged with France on the European targets to reduce carbon dioxide from cars."
France, home to more efficient car manufacturers such as Renault, had favoured Brussels' plans, which suggest fining those who break the CO2 emissions limits.
Mr Sarkozy said there would be a "common position from France and Germany in the coming days," reports AFP.
The two leaders also patched up their differences on France's proposed union of Mediterranean countries, with Paris having watered down the original plan following public criticism by Ms Merkel.
The German chancellor said the project "is to be called Mediterranean Union", adding that it "should be a project of all 27 member states."
According to Die Welt newspaper, Ms Merkel said the Mediterranean Union proposal – envisioning bringing together southern Europe and Northern Africa states as well as Israel and its Arab neighbours to tackle topical issues such as counter-terrorism, immigration, energy, trade, water and sustainable development - would be presented to all member states.
She said she would ask that it be put on the agenda of the EU leaders summit later this month.
Ms Merkel had previously said the plan risked splitting the EU because it only involved certain member states and had proposed using EU funds.
Relations have been uneasy between Berlin and Paris since Mr Sarkozy came to power last summer, with clashes over industrial policy and how to approach the European Central Bank also creating strong tension.
But both leaders stressed the importance of their bilateral relations for Europe as a whole.
"If Germany and France are not in agreement, it will be hard to find unity in Europe," said Ms Merkel.
Mr Sarkozy said: "It is more important than ever that France and Germany get on and work together."