The EU heads of state and government did not manage to reach an agreement on the EU’s budget for the next seven years at the special meeting of the European Council. The differences between the 27 EU member states are still too great, explained Chancellor Angela Merkel. The topic will be discussed again at a later date.
Chancellor Angela Merkel has visited two pro-reform countries in Africa: South Africa and Angola. Talks focused on cooperation in the fields of technical and vocational education and training (TVET), and on international issues and economic matters. Another outcome is that the Germany-supported Compact with Africa could soon be expanded to embrace another partner country.
The situations in the crisis-affected regions of Libya and Syria were the focus of Chancellor Angela Merkel’s talks with President Erdoğan, along with bilateral relations. Another matter the Chancellor wished to discuss was the way German citizens are treated in Turkey. Earlier in the day, the two leaders attended the official opening of a Turkish-German university.
At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Chancellor Angela Merkel has underlined the need for more climate action. "We are called on to take action on climate policy." Time, she said, is of the essence, and the older generation must respond positively to the impatience of youth.
On Saturday, Chancellor Angela Merkel flew to Moscow for a working visit that had been planned for some time. She was accompanied by Federal Foreign Minister Heiko Maas. Various topical international and bilateral issues, including the situation in the Gulf and in Ukraine, were on the agenda of her one-day meeting with the Russian President.
The EU heads of state and government met in Brussels and agreed to achieve climate neutrality by 2050. At the end of the summit, Federal Chancellor Merkel spoke of a “milestone in European climate policy”. Following elections in Great Britain, Brexit and future relations with Great Britain were also on the agenda.
Following their meeting in London, the heads of state and government of NATO member states issued a joint statement, the London Declaration. Earlier in the day, Chancellor Angela Merkel had discussed the situation in Syria with the French and Turkish Presidents and the British Prime Minister. She also met with President Donald Trump.
Brexit, migration, finance –the Chancellor’s meeting with the Croatian Prime Minister in Zagreb focused on European issues. On 1 January 2020, Croatia will be taking over the rotating Presidency of the Council of the European Union, which it will then pass on to Germany six months later.