Merkel, Hollande seek new EU 'roadmap' at summit
[PARIS] German Chancellor Angela Merkel called Thursday on EU leaders meeting this week without Britain to come up with a "realistic" plan for Europe that reflects the bloc's "concerns, hopes and desires."
Speaking ahead of a meeting with French President Francois Hollande in Paris, Ms Merkel said security and prosperity should take centre stage at Friday's summit in the Slovakian capital Bratislava.
Ms Merkel said the current wave of jihadist violence and the mass influx of migrants demanded a common European approach.
"We must protect our external borders and we must provide a common response," she stressed, adding that Europe needed to address citizens' concerns in order to remain "a continent of hope".
Mr Hollande said the summit aimed to agree a "roadmap" for Europe's post-Brexit future, including improved defence capabilities, greater investment in renewable energy and a new push on training and jobs for the continent's legions of jobless youth.
The Bratislava summit is intended to give the EU a new sense of purpose after the existential crisis triggered by Britain's shock referendum decision to quit the bloc.
AFP
BT is now on Telegram!
For daily updates on weekdays and specially selected content for the weekend. Subscribe to t.me/BizTimes
International
German business activity returns to growth in April, PMI survey shows
China’s LGFV borrowing costs drop to record low as investors bet on bailout
UK budget deficit overshoots in setback for Hunt’s tax cut plans
BOJ will hike rates if trend inflation accelerates, says Ueda
India’s economic activity continues to expand
Thailand’s 500 billion baht stimulus project gets Cabinet approval