French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor¹ Angela Merkel gave a joint² statement prior to a meeting at the chancellery in Berlin on Sunday.

 

法国总统马克龙与德国总理默克尔周日在柏林总理官邸发布一份联合声明。
 

 

Merkel and Macron were consulting on a raft of issues including fixing the euro, migration³, common defence and taxing digital companies as they look ahead to a December summit on the common currency. 

 

Merkel stressed that with regards to EU reforms, they "really must deliver, and discuss with our colleagues in Europe what decisions we can take."

 

Macron, who came to take part in Germany's national remembrance day for the victims of war and dictatorship, said "a great deal" must be done to achieve "a more united, more sovereign and more efficient Europe, which we so urgently need."

 

The two biggest countries in Europe can be a powerful force to decide issues in Europe but in this case both leaders are hampered⁴ by falling support at home. 

 

Macron has seen his poll ratings sag⁵ at home, where more mass protests took place on Saturday over proposed gas tax hikes. 

 

Merkel has been a lame⁶ duck since saying she wouldn't seek another term.

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