France's Macron: Europe must unite to prevent 'global chaos' Published duration 18 November 2018

image copyright Getty Images image caption The French president was speaking on the occasion of Volkstrauertag, Germany's national day of mourning for victims of war

France's President Emmanuel Macron has called for closer ties between his country and Germany, saying Europe "has the obligation not to let the world slip into chaos".

Mr Macron is in Berlin for the country's annual day of mourning for victims of war.

In a speech to Germany's parliament, he said Europe must not "become a plaything of great powers".

Mr Macron wants a more integrated EU, with a joint eurozone budget.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has expressed tentative support for some of these ideas, but others are controversial in Berlin.

'Our true strength lies in unity'

The French leader spoke of nationalist forces "with no memory", and urged progressive forces to unite in an uncertain world.

"There are too many powers that wish to thwart us, that interfere in our public debates, attack our liberal democracies and are trying to pit us against each other," he said. "And in this global order, which we have to take very seriously, our strength - our true strength - lies in unity."

media caption President Trump and President Putin were among the leaders at the ceremony in Paris

The French president acknowledged that unity could be "scary," and would mean nations pooling their funds and decision-making - but then asked: "Is it better to remain locked at a standstill?"

The French and German leaders met for talks after Mr Macron's speech, and were set to discuss migration, defence co-operation and tax structures for digital companies.

France and Germany are expected to unveil plans for a limited joint eurozone budget on Monday.

"You made clear with an impressive speech how important the German-Franco friendship and co-operation is, and what role it plays in the European context," Mrs Merkel told Mr Macron.

"You said we are at a crossroads... and this is exactly what I perceive. Those of us born after the war are responsible for the lessons that we learned."