Macron says EU treaty change 'not taboo'

French President Emmanuel Macron immediately launched into his mission to shake up French politics, world economics and the European Union. Picture: Alain Jocard, Pool via AP

French President Emmanuel Macron immediately launched into his mission to shake up French politics, world economics and the European Union. Picture: Alain Jocard, Pool via AP

Published May 15, 2017

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Berlin - French President Emmanuel Macron

said on Monday that the possibility of change to EU treaties was

"not taboo" and that he wanted to see better protection for

Europe's workers.

Speaking in Berlin on his first foreign visit since his

inauguration on Sunday, and at his first joint news conference

with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, he also dispelled the idea

circulating in German media that he was in favour of turning

national debts of euro zone countries into euro-zone debt.

"I am happy that we can work together on a common roadmap

for the European Union and the Euro Zone," he said. "In the

past, the subject of treaty change was a French taboo. It will

no longer be the case."

"There are several areas in which we can cooperate in the

short term," he added "Common asylum policy, posted workers and

bilateral trade. All these will have an impact on our citizens.

We need more pragmatism, less bureaucracy and a Europe that

protects our citizens."

On the subject of debt, he added: "I have never defended (the idea of) Eurobonds or the

mutualisation of existing debt in the euro zone.

Reuters

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