In their first face-to-face meeting since the start of the pandemic, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron stressed their determination to work together to try and get Europe’s economies back on track as Germany takes over the six-month rotating EU presidency on July 1.

German leaders said the EU’s top three priorities are getting an agreement for an EU recovery package and budget, resolving the Brexit deal with the UK, and adjusting EU-China relations. Merkel said unity between France and Germany is now more important than ever.

Mrs. Merkel said, “Expectations are high and we know that when Germany and France are united, Europe is not necessarily united. But if Germany and France are not in agreement, then it doesn’t speak well for the unity of Europe."

The consensus between Germany and France on many issues could help Europe make the right decisions, she added.