Visit on the 26th Franco-German Ministerial Council.

The President of the Republic traveled to the Federal Republic of Germany for the 26th Franco-German Ministerial Council on Thursday, July 16, and Friday, July 17, 2026.

Upon his arrival, President Emmanuel Macron was welcomed by Friedrich Merz, Federal Chancellor of the Republic of Germany, before delivering a joint statement to the press.

Watch the statement:

The Head of State then held talks with Chancellor Merz during a meeting and a working dinner in preparation for the Franco-German Ministerial Council.

On Friday, July 17, President Emmanuel Macron and the Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany co-chaired the 26th Franco-German Ministerial Council (CMFA) as well as the Franco-German Defense and Security Council (CFADS) at Augustusburg Castle in Brühl.

In a geopolitical context that underscores the importance of European defense, this Franco-German Defense and Security Council, held at the Nörvenich Air Base, provided an opportunity for France and Germany to coordinate on key international policy issues and deepen their defense industrial cooperation, with the aim of continuing to build greater strategic alignment between our two countries.

The Franco-German Council of Ministers then brought together ten ministers from each side to discuss key areas of Franco-German cooperation. It provided an opportunity to address the challenges posed by growing global macroeconomic imbalances for the European economy and industry, as well as our joint projects and actions in support of the European competitiveness and sovereignty agenda to address them.

It also helped advance our cooperation efforts, strengthening ties between French and German citizens and the resilience of our societies, particularly with regard to the protection of minors online, the fight against foreign interference and disinformation, exchanges through the Franco-German Youth Office, and the deepening of cross-border cooperation.