French President Emmanuel Macron is on a two-day state visit to the Netherlands where he is expected to deliver a keynote speech on future of Europe.
Speech to be delivered on stage in The Hague comes on the heels of Macron’s controversial remarks on Taiwan during his recent visit to China.
The question we need To answer, as Europeans, is the following: is it in Our interest to accelerate (crisis) on Taiwan? Macron was quoted as saying, “No in Interview published Sunday in French newspaper Les Echos and Politico Europe.
The worst thing is to think that we Europeans have to become followers on This topic, and we take our hints from the American agenda and the Chinese exaggerated reaction.
The remarks raised questions about whether Macron’s views were correct in Line with The position of the European Union and whether the bloc of 27 able to become the “third superpower” that Macron says He hopes so build In a few years.”
The interview was on Friday, before the start of China Wide combat Exercises around Taiwan mimic the seal off Al Jazeera in In response to the Taiwanese president’s trip to the United States last week.
Macron emphasized the concept of “strategic autonomy” for Europe promoted for years. to caution of What he called a “trap” that would lead To the mass “they are caught up in Crises are not our crises.”
The division of China and Taiwan in 1949 after a civil war. the government in Beijing says The island is bound to join the mainland, by way of force if necessary.
Macron’s trip to Amsterdam and The Hague is a trip first A state visit by a French leader since Jacques Chirac 23 years ago underscores the close ties between the Netherlands, France and the two leaders.
after arrival in Amsterdam, Macron and Dutch King Willem-Alexander inspect one of the guards of honor on Square outside The royal palace in the capital as a military The band played and the French and Dutch flags fluttered in fast breeze.
After the guard of honor and before Macron, he solemnly laid a wreath on national Monument near the palace in historical heart of the citya small group of people Protest against Macron pension Reforms were held for a short time up Signboard in The Frenchwoman who said: “We will not strike until retirement.”
Macron later traveled to The Hague for meeting with leaders of Both houses of and Dutch parliament before giving his speech.
In the evening, Macron and his wife Brigitte returned to Amsterdam for banquet hosted by Willem Alexander.
Macron’s itinerary on Wednesday includes a visit to A science garden in Amsterdam, Conversations with Prime Minister Mark Rutte watching a popular exhibition of Paintings by Dutch master Johannes Vermeer in the Rijksmuseum.
