Macron: The EU needs dialogue with Russia
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Addressing lawmakers in Strasbourg, France, Macron contends that EU countries should develop proposals for a new security system, then discuss them with NATO, then propose them to Russia.
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France urges the EU to continue dialogue with Russia.
French President Emmanuel Macron said on Wednesday that "Europe needs to finally build its collective security framework on our continent," he told lawmakers in Strasbourg.
According to Macron, EU countries should develop proposals for a new security system, then discuss them with NATO, then propose them to Russia. The French president suggested these ideas in his opening speech at the plenary session in the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France.
The security framework requires "strategic rearmament," in addition to "frank and demanding" talks with Russia: "The European Union needs dialogue with Russia," he said, asserting that France has been supporting this for years.
Furthermore, Macron indicated that the EU's proposals on security and stability will be presented within the coming weeks.
Earlier, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas contended that Russia and the European Union must work to find a way to continue the dialogue between the two sides, despite the deterioration of relations and their arrival to the worst stage.
"We have to find a way to continue dialogue with Russia," Maas said in front of the EU in Brussels, adding that "Russia is important to us in order to settle many international conflicts."
He continued his speech by saying that "despite the fact that relations between Russia and the European Union have reached the lowest level, an attempt must be made in order to continue the dialogue between the two sides."
Tensions between EU countries come against the backdrop of eastern Ukraine's events, where France and Germany called for a halt to the military escalation in the country.
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