France stresses European economic independence, reducing reliance on US, China

By Nur Asena Erturk

ANKARA (AA) – French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday emphasized European sovereignty and economic independence, as well as reducing reliance on other countries, including the US and China.

Macron unveiled his country's 2024 goals in finance, the economy, investments, and the environment at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

A more sovereign Europe "does not mean killing your links, your alliances, and your partnerships, but it is not to be overly dependent on critical sectors of your value chains in some geographies," Macron said, emphasizing the importance of key technologies and critical value chains such as chips, agriculture, energy, and nuclear energy.

The French president noted that any escalation between the US and China should be avoided.

"Our strategy vis-a-vis China in this context is not a decoupling strategy, but a de-risking strategy," he explained, adding that this allows cooperation while preventing Europe from becoming overly dependent.

The president stressed the importance of energy and production independence, citing the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine.

He also mentioned the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, as well as his government policies and plans for Europe.

"First, we will do everything we can to keep the world together," the president said, emphasizing that Russia must not prevail in Ukraine.

"Second, our capacity to build solutions to peace in the Middle East… fight against terrorism, and all terrorist groups in the region that not only destabilizes security but also international trade," he said, recalling Yemeni group Houthi's attacks on trade vessels in the Red Sea region.

He also vowed continued efforts for a cease-fire in the Middle East to allow humanitarian access in the Gaza Strip under Israeli military strikes, as well as a two-state solution between Israel and Palestinians.