On Tuesday, Luxembourg's Prime Minister, Xavier Bettel, was in Berlin to meet the German Chancellor, Angela Merkel.
On the official visit, PM Bettel was received by Chancellor Merkel with military honours. A lunch at the Federal Chancellery focused in particular on the priorities of the Luxembourg presidency of the EU. PM Bettel presented the priorities for the next six months and stressed that the fight against unemployment is high on the agenda, and the implementation of the investment plan of the European Commission is an indispensable element.
"Economic development, however, must be made sustainable. It is not enough to combat social and fiscal dumping, but dumping in environmental and climate conditions must be stopped," he said with regard to the Conference on Climate and Sustainable Development (COP 21), held in Paris in November and December. The German Chancellor welcomed the plan within the meaning of growth and employment, and pledged their support in converting the growth package of the EU Commission. Angela Merkel is looking for such investments for the Digital Economy and the Energy Union.
The talks also addressed the challenges in the field of migration, in which the PM Bettel pointed out the need for common solutions. There is a common agenda needing common solutions which should start in the countries of origin, stated the Luxembourg Prime Minister.
Other issues that were raised concerned the Free Trade Agreement between the EU and the United States, the current situation in Greece and the implementation of European data protection regulation.
During his stay in Berlin, PM Bettel also visited the exhibition "1945 - defeat. Liberation. New beginning in the German Historical Museum, where among other things the fate of the Luxembourg population is illuminated after the end of World War II. In addition, the Prime Minister delivered a speech in front of guests at the "Westerwelle Foundation" where the role of Luxembourg was emphasised as a European intermediary.
Photo by Steffen Kugler, copyright Bundesregierung
