(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) France and German intend to significantly boost cooperation in a number of areas, political, economic, defence, environment and social affairs, it was announced here Tuesday after the latest Franco-German government summit held earlier in the day.
The Elysee Palace said in a statement that French President Francois Hollande and German Chancellor Angel Merkel, accompanied by ministers from the two governments, stressed that they would "broaden the Franco-German partnership" across the entire front and would work together on reforms and investments "to reinforce the competitiveness of their economies" Efforts will be increased to promote growth, investments, jobs and competitiveness at a European level and also to improve the public finances of European member countries.
On foreign police and defence, France and Germany have agreed to intensify consultations in this area, "in particular faced with the attitude of Russia in Ukraine," where a standoff between Russian-backed separatists and the Ukrainian government has bordered on civil war and caused violent and bloody clashes for several months.
Europe has placed punitive sanctions on Russia for supporting rebels in East Ukraine and for annexing the Crimea region early last year.
But Hollande's office said that France and Germany "will pursue their close cooperation in order to arrive at a peaceful, lasting settlement of the Ukrainian crisis." The two nations will also work together closely for a Common Defence and Security Policy for Europe that will be "stronger and more effective in a spirit of solidarity," the Elysee said.
Space operations and cooperation, in particular the development of new generation satellites will be further enhanced by new agreements this June, which will permit for the launching of a third joint satellite in the near future.
France and Germany, working with Italy, will also work together to develop a new generation of drones to be produced in the 2020-2025 period.
There was also agreement to seek "an ambitious and binding agreement" within the context of the United Nations to limit climate change, Hollande's statement said upon his return from Germany.
France is due to host a major conference here next December to examine climate change and get an agreement on reducing CO2 emissions on a global scale.
The two countries also agreed to work together more closely on economic and financial questions, particularly those linked to growth, investment and structural and budgetary reforms and they examined ways to halt fiscal evasion and to improve public spending and taxation methods.
Hollande and Merkel additionally vowed to intensify cooperation in the research and education s sectors, especially in the energy and technology and information security areas.
Other issues agreed upon were the need to fight against exclusion, racism and other similar factors and to promote the mobility of workers between the 28 European Union member countries.
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