Conclusions of the Franco-German Defence and Security Council.

Toulon, 29 August 2025

As we face war and escalating hybrid threats on our continent, multiple crises in our neighbourhood and the world, and as we seek to uphold the rules-based international order and reaffirming our ambitions of the Treaty of Aix-La-Chapelle, France and Germany are convinced that Franco-German cooperation in matters of foreign, security and defence policy should be further deepened  ; it should strengthen the ability of Europe to meet its challenges on its own.

EU-NATO

• Building a Europe which is more sovereign, more responsible for its own defence and better equipped to act and deal with immediate and future challenges and threats with a 360° approach, we will further ramp up our own defence capabilities to strengthen the European pillar of NATO.
• In view of the threat posed by Russia, and convinced that the transatlantic Alliance remains the foundation of European security, France and Germany are resolved to implement the historic decisions made at the NATO summit in The Hague in June. They will increase European contributions to the security of Europe, and reflect a more balanced sharing of the burden for security across the Euro-Atlantic area.
• To this end, we will significantly increase expenditure on security and defence, support the European defence technological and industrial base (EDTIB) and prepare for a European preference. 
• On the operational side, last year’s decision to commit the Franco-German Brigade to NATO Defence Plans at the Alliance’s Eastern Flank has been realized this spring by the affiliation of this brigade to the Multinational Corps North East in Poland. This will in a first step be executed through common exercises.
• Convinced that the significant increase of national defence investments incentivized by EU funding instruments, and more cooperation resulting in the ramp-up of the European defence industry are key in order to enhance European security, France and Germany fully support the ambitious initiatives at EU level to ensure European Defence Readiness by strengthening the EDTIB through cooperation and funding that fosters capabilities designed and produced in the EU and closing critical capability gaps in Europe in line with NATO capability targets.
• Reflecting the unique roles and competences of NATO and the European Union, France and Germany reiterate the necessity to further deepen the cooperation between both organizations, and continue to create added value for European security and defence.

Strategic topics/nuclear

France and Germany underline that nuclear deterrence is the cornerstone of Alliance security, and that France’s independent strategic nuclear forces contribute significantly to the overall security of the Alliance. Given the challenges outlined above, with a view to developing our common strategic culture, and to further interlinking our security and defence objectives and strategies, France and Germany will start a strategic dialogue, led by the French Presidency and, the German Chancellery, and including the Foreign and Defence Ministries.

Bilateral armament cooperation

• Based on NATO, EU and national capability requirements, France and Germany will further deepen their bilateral cooperation on defence capabilities, including defence research and development as well as procurement.
• France and Germany remain committed to the Main Ground Combat System (MGCS) development and will intensify efforts to launch an adequately financed Research and Technology phase to ensure the availability for the armed forces of MGCS beginning 2040.
• France and Germany remain committed to the Next Generation Weapon System (NGWS) and will intensify efforts to take immediate and together with Spain appropriate actions by the end of the year to secure the timeline for initial Operational Capability before 2040. We agree to find solutions to resolve the challenges of the program.
• France and Germany will further coordinate on cooperation options regarding Deep Precision Strike capabilities, initiated in the framework of the ELSA initiative during last year’s Franco-German Defence and Security Council.
• Aiming at enhancing cooperation in the space domain, France and Germany will in particular identify new opportunities enabling the best use of European assets and world-class expertise.
• In order to provide a complementary Early Warning system for Europe, France and Germany plan to launch a Franco-German Early Warning-Initiative with two pillars  : a space-based missile early warning system based on ODIN’s EYE project and a network of ground-based radars, relying on existing and future technologies. To formalize this initiative called JEWEL, that will be open to partners, a Letter of Intent will be prepared. The ODIN’S Eye Memorandum of Understanding as well as the Implementing Arrangement IOC thus facilitating the envisaged acceleration of the project to achieve Initial Operational Capability, will be signed alongside the JEWEL Letter of Intent and will be the first step towards this initiative.
• France and Germany recognize the A400M Programme as a successful European Cooperation. In continuation of this success, our nations’ experts will discuss possible developments and capabilities within this programme. We strive to further strengthen the A400M programme including efforts for an expansion to other European states.
• In order to strengthen joint research and development efforts, we will develop a French-German programme of breakthrough innovation in defence. We will make the best use of all EU tools and facilitate private funding on these issues.
• Recognizing the importance of armament cooperation, French and German Ministries of Defence intend to reinstate an armament cooperation working group in order to discuss all issues related to armament cooperation.
• Enhance cooperation in the field of defence innovation by bolstering up the existing defence innovation cooperation framework between the French and German ministries of defence and encouraging new partnerships. Promote jointly matured defence innovation projects and technologies within common multinational initiatives.

Ukraine/Russia and Black Sea

• Despite intensive international diplomatic efforts, Russia shows no intention to end its war of aggression against Ukraine. In light of the massive Russian airstrikes on Ukraine and its population and the consequences for our own security, France and Germany will therefore provide additional air defence to Ukraine. Building on the joint leadership in the Capability Coalition on Integrated Air and Missile Defence, France and Germany will also advocate for further contributions from Allies and partners within the Ukraine Defence Contact Group, NATO, the EU and beyond through allocations from their own stocks, deliveries from industry, financial contributions e.g. to the Enduring Action on Air Defence, and training of Ukrainian pilots.
• France and Germany will work to strengthen Ukraine's security and defence industry and promote industrial cooperation. As part of our military support, we will increase procurement of defence goods produced in Ukraine to meet the needs of the Ukrainian armed forces. We will promote joint projects with Ukraine under the European Defence Industry Programme and the Security Action for Europe, involving European Allies and partners.
• France and Germany agree that the financing of the short- and long-term European military support for Ukraine must be increased and that it must also participate in strengthening the European Defence Technological and Industrial Base. We strongly support the objective of Ukraine’s rapid integration into the European Defence Technological and Industrial Base.
• France and Germany consider the effective implementation and further strengthening of sanctions essential to exert maximum pressure on Russia to end its illegal war of aggression against Ukraine, and ultimately bring peace to Ukraine and Europe. France and Germany will step up their cooperation within the EU and jointly with partners, especially the G7, to further extend and develop effective and robust sanctions against those responsible for undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine, as well as against Russia's military-industrial complex, including companies from third countries that support Russia's war, and implement tailored measures to further limit Russia's revenues, particularly from oil sales. An effective oil price cap and measures to combat the circumvention of sanctions, including those posed by Russia’s so-called shadow fleet and its ecosystem, are key.
• France and Germany agree on the need to provide Ukraine with credible security guarantees, including by ensuring the steady provision and financing of equipment, training and intelligence as the war continues, by crafting a future Ukrainian force model without any limitations of size or capabilities and therefore able to deter future Russian aggressions, by expediting the work undertaken by the Coalition of the Willing on reassurance forces, and by devising security guarantees to be provided to Ukraine by US and European partners.
• Recognizing the increasing importance of the Black Sea region for peace, security and prosperity in Europe, France and Germany will consider additional joint activities, e.g. in the fields of security, economy and connectivity, also with a view to contributing to the EU’s Black Sea Strategy in close cooperation with partners and allies. In this vein, we will set up a capitals’ working group, led by the Foreign Ministries in close coordination with the Ministries of Defence, to present a joint input paper.

Middle East, including Israel/Gaza, Iran, Lebanon, Syria

• France and Germany are united in their commitment to the two-State solution which we are convinced is the only way to guarantee that Israelis and Palestinians can live side by side in peace, security, and dignity, and to ensure peace and security for all in the region. We condemn the heinous attacks of Hamas of 7 October and reiterate our commitment to Israel’s existence, security and right to defend itself in face of the terror of Hamas. The war must end now. We call for an immediate ceasefire, the provision of a massive, immediate and unimpeded humanitarian assistance into and throughout Gaza, through the established and proven humanitarian mechanism run by the UN and humanitarian NGOs, leading to a permanent end to hostilities. Hamas must immediately and unconditionally release all hostages. In the future, Hamas must neither govern Gaza nor be in any way a threat to Israel. It must be disarmed. France and Germany condemn all attempts to annex and reoccupy parts of Palestinian territory, to increase settlement construction, in particular through the E1 project. We are shocked by the insufferable human toll in the Gaza Strip as well as the famine reported as the result of the blockade on humanitarian aid and the expansion of Israeli operations in the Gaza Strip, and strongly opposed to any forcible transfer of Palestinians. We call upon the Israeli authorities to put an end to these operations, lift all the humanitarian constraints and to cooperate with the Palestinian Authority as the only legitimate representative of the Palestinian people. This includes transferring withheld clearance revenues, maintaining the existing correspondent banking relations system, and holding violent settlers to account. Journalists and humanitarian personnel must enjoy a safe access to the Gaza strip. To support these objectives, we are ready to intensify our dialogue with Israel in the coming days, including through active contribution to a credible framework for Day after and a possible stabilization mission in Gaza. We also underline the importance of civil society and peacebuilding initiatives for the implementation of the Two-State Solution including at the United Nations.
• On Lebanon, France and Germany continue to advocate political and economic reform as outlined by the IMF in order to strengthen state institutions including the Lebanese Armed Forced (LAF). We support the efforts by the Lebanese authorities to restore full sovereignty over their territory, including through the monopoly of force and use of weapons, and reiterate our call for the full respect by all parties of the cessation of hostilities arrangements of November 26, 2024, including through full withdrawal of the IDF. Therefore, we will coordinate our bilateral and multilateral engagement closely and jointly propose further support for the LAF under the European Peace Facility. France and Germany strongly support UNIFIL, welcome the renewal of its mandate by the UNSC until December 31st, 2026, and underline its crucial role in strengthening the LAF and in consolidating progress after the ceasefire.
• France and Germany reaffirm their joint commitment to support a peaceful and inclusive political transition in Syria including transitional justice, economic reforms, freedom of the press and transparency and the destruction of all remaining chemical weapons of the Assad regime in order to improve life of all Syrians. On this basis they underline their commitment to support reconstruction and the safe return of Syrian refugees to their country.
• Throughout more than twenty years of diplomatic efforts, France and Germany have been unified in their objective  :  Iran shall never seek, acquire or develop a nuclear weapon, and a negotiated solution providing credible assurances to that end should be achieved through diplomatic efforts. France and Germany reiterate their longstanding concerns about Iran’s current nuclear escalation and Iran’s ongoing non-compliance with its legally binding safeguards obligations. The E3 stays fully committed to engage Iran to find a diplomatic solution. The E3’s decision to trigger the snapback process is a response to Iran’s longstanding non-compliance with its obligations. Our extension offer remains if Iran takes the necessary steps in the 30-day period of this process. 

Afghanistan

France and Germany will continue to coordinate closely on their policies on Afghanistan in order to pursue their shared interests in Afghanistan and to call on the Taliban to honour the obligations set out by the United Nations Security Council in its resolution 2593 in 2021. France and Germany strongly condemn the human rights violations committed in Afghanistan, particularly against women and girls. France and Germany will continue to hold the Taliban accountable and call on the them to abide by the international obligations of the state of Afghanistan which include obligations enshrined in the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC).