French Europe Minister: 'We need an ambitious agenda' | DW News

Key Concepts

• European Strategic Autonomy: The capacity of the EU to act independently in defense, space, and economic policy without relying on external powers like the U.S. or China.
• Franco-German Engine: The collaborative relationship between France and Germany, viewed as the primary driver for EU policy and integration.
• Merit-based Enlargement: The principle that EU expansion must be contingent on candidate countries meeting strict criteria regarding the rule of law, judicial independence, and anti-corruption.
• Level Playing Field: The requirement for fair competition in trade, ensuring that imported goods meet the same environmental and social standards as European products.
• Sovereignty: The preservation of national control over core areas like foreign policy and defense, while balancing the need for collective EU action.

1. The Franco-German Relationship and Geopolitical Context

Benjamin Haddad, Minister Delegate in the French Foreign Ministry, characterizes the current state of the Franco-German alliance as a "turning point" rather than a period of failure. He argues that despite media narratives of a "faltering engine," the two nations are deeply aligned on:

• Competitiveness: Simplifying rules and deepening the Single Market to protect European industry from unfair competition (specifically from China).
• Defense: Moving toward an ambitious defense agenda to reduce dependency on the United States.
• Ukraine Support: Working to finalize a €90 billion loan package for Ukraine’s economic and military needs.

2. Trade Policy and the Mercosur Agreement

Haddad addresses the long-standing disagreement regarding the EU-Mercosur trade deal. He emphasizes that France is not anti-trade but insists on reciprocity:

• Mirror Measures: France advocates for "safeguard clauses" where trade partners must adhere to the same pesticide and production standards as European farmers.
• Strategic Protection: He argues that opening European markets to products produced with banned substances constitutes "unfair competition."
• Diversification: He notes that France supports other trade agreements, such as the one with India, which align with European standards.

3. Defense and Industrial Cooperation (FCAS)

The Future Combat Air System (FCAS) is highlighted as a complex but essential project.

• Status: A mediation process is currently underway between French and German officials to resolve industrial disagreements between companies like Dassault and Airbus.
• Goal: To avoid fragmentation and redundancy in European defense spending.
• Budgetary Context: France has doubled its defense budget over the two terms of the Macron presidency, and Germany is also rapidly increasing its military spending. Haddad stresses that these national increases must be coordinated at the EU level to ensure "autonomous access" to power and technology.
• Space Sovereignty: He cites the Iris² project (secure satellite telecommunications) as a critical example of avoiding reliance on private U.S. entities like Starlink.

4. EU Enlargement

Haddad frames enlargement as a "geopolitical necessity" to prevent "gray zones" from becoming theaters of interference for Russia or China.

• Process: It remains a "demanding and merit-based" path. France is actively supporting Montenegro’s candidacy and providing expert assistance to help candidate countries meet EU standards.
• Perspective: He rejects the notion that enlargement is purely a threat to labor markets, framing it instead as a "reunification of the European family" and a testament to the EU’s continued global attractiveness.

5. Migration and Border Security

Haddad emphasizes that being a "political power" requires the ability to control borders.

• Asylum Act & Return Regulation: He highlights the recent adoption of the EU Asylum Act and the Return Regulation, which provide member states with more resources to expel illegal migrants.
• Political Strategy: He argues that failing to address migration concerns effectively drives citizens toward "euroskeptic" and populist parties.

6. Institutional Decision-Making

Regarding the debate over moving from unanimity to majority voting:

• Foreign Policy/Defense: Haddad maintains that unanimity is necessary because these areas are at the "heart of sovereignty."
• Accountability: He criticizes the "weaponization" of the veto (referencing Viktor Orbán’s past actions) and suggests that the EU must work to build consensus rather than allowing single countries to act as proxies for external adversaries.

7. The "Trump Factor" and Global Rivalry

Haddad views the political trends in the U.S. (including the Trump administration and the Inflation Reduction Act) as an "accelerator" for European sovereignty.

• Key Argument: Whether it is the U.S., China, or Russia, Europe must stop being a "passive bystander."
• Conclusion: The lesson for Europe is to focus on its own defense and economic independence, as the need for European autonomy will remain relevant regardless of who occupies the White House.

Synthesis

The main takeaway is that France and Germany are shifting toward a more pragmatic, security-focused integration. While internal disagreements on trade and industrial projects persist, the overarching strategy is to build a "sovereign Europe" capable of defending its borders, managing its own trade standards, and acting as a unified geopolitical actor in a world of great power competition. The success of this project depends on the ability of the EU to deliver concrete results—specifically in defense and migration—to maintain public support and counter populist narratives.