Macron urges EU to strengthen defense amid U.S. decision

The decision by the U.S. president to withdraw troops from Germany is a message primarily to Europe itself.

French President Emmanuel Macron stated this to journalists in Yerevan, ahead of the European Political Community summit.

EU countries must enhance security and develop joint solutions in the defense sector, also considering that security issues for the European Union extend beyond its borders, Macron added. He also noted that during the summit, participants would have the opportunity to discuss strengthening the independence and sovereignty of Armenia and Moldova.

Speaking about the conflict between Iran and the U.S., Macron stated that a sustainable solution can only be the full opening of the Strait of Hormuz, without restrictions on navigation or fees from ships. The French president noted that the U.S. first announced a ceasefire with Iran and then declared a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.

"If they now want to reopen it - very well. This is what we have been talking about from the beginning," said the French president, emphasizing that, in any case, France will not participate in any military operations in the Middle East.

Additionally, it is very important that the ceasefire is also respected in Lebanon, where strikes (from Israel - ed.) have resumed in the last two days.

It should be noted that earlier, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated that the withdrawal of part of the U.S. military contingent from Germany is not related to his disagreements with U.S. President Donald Trump on the issue of Iran. Part of the contingent was stationed temporarily, and discussions about their withdrawal had been ongoing for a long time, Merz said.

Source: Sputnik Armenia