Macron outlines vision for Europe's future

World
Europe

French President Emmanuel Macron said Europe is going through the worst phase and needs to be "rebuilt."

"Our generation can choose to (do this)...We need to find the strength to restart Europe," said Macron at the start of a two-day visit to Greece on Thursday.

The French leader underlined his strong ambition to reform the EU when delivering a speech at Pnyx hill in Athens, the site where ancient Athenian citizens used to gather to host their assemblies and the seeds of democracy were planted 25 centuries ago.

French President Emmanuel Macron reacts after delivering a speech on the Pnyx hill in Athens on September 7, 2017. /AFP Photo

For Macron's vision for the future of the EU, it means "the rebirth of democracy in Europe". He told Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, "we share a history and a destiny... we must defend this heritage."

The Greek leader replied his country was "determined" to promote discourse in Europe for a "new contract for democracy, equality and solidarity."

Macron also called for dialogue across the continent over the next months with the active participation of citizens.

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras delivers a speech on the Pnyx hill in Athens on September 7, 2017. /AFP Photo‍

The 39-year-old leader added he would submit France's proposal for a road map to rebuilding Europe in a few weeks, after Germany’s Sept. 24 election. He wanted European leaders to agree before the end of the year to launch public debates in the first half of 2018 during which citizens will be able to discuss their vision for the bloc.

The proposals also include cross-state candidate tickets for the next European Parliament elections, scheduled for 2019, and more democratic legitimacy for the Eurozone.

"We can achieve fiscal unification if we achieve political and economic integration," Tsipras said, adding that he supported Macron's proposal for a Eurozone finance minister, but said the EU also needed a social justice minister.

French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron listen to the speech of the Greek Prime Minister on the Pnyx hill in Athens on September 7, 2017. /AFP Photo

Meanwhile, the French leader conveyed a message of support to Greece in its efforts to exit the seven-year debt crisis and achieve economic recovery.

The French leader urged Greece to continue on the reform path and that its international creditors would eventually take measures for the relief of the Greek debt load.

On Friday, Macron and Tsipras will preside over a working round-table meeting between Greek and French business leaders to explore opportunities for investments and cooperation in many sectors.

7626km

Source(s): AFP ,Reuters ,Xinhua News Agency