FR-Macron FULL SPEECH After #EUCO: Protect European Industry, Back Ukraine and Stop More Budget Cuts

French President Emmanuel Macron said the European Council delivered concrete progress on energy, trade, industrial policy, the next EU budget, Ukraine, enlargement and migration. On energy, Macron said measures agreed at G7 and EU level should help lower prices, including the release of strategic oil and diesel reserves and greater flexibility for imports, refining and regulation. He also stressed that Europe must stay on the path of decarbonisation because it is essential both for climate goals and for European sovereignty. Macron said one of the biggest changes agreed at the summit concerns trade policy. He argued that Europe is moving towards a more pragmatic approach that is willing to protect European industries against what he described as unfair competition. According to Macron, this shift should extend beyond electric vehicles to sectors including chemicals, plastics and ferro-alloys. He also highlighted the Franco-German agreement on the automotive industry, including greater flexibility, support for smaller vehicles and a form of European preference. On the EU budget, Macron said France wants agriculture, fisheries, cohesion and a strong Competitiveness Fund to remain central priorities. He criticised further cuts to the Competitiveness Fund, arguing that they would undermine the investment and innovation agenda Europe says it wants to pursue. Macron said the focus should now move from additional cuts to new EU own resources, including possible revenue from digital activities, crypto-assets, the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism and customs revenues. On Ukraine, Macron said the message from European leaders was clear: “We will not abandon Ukraine and the Ukrainians.” He said France is accelerating deliveries of missiles and other capabilities and working with Ukraine on drones, anti-missile defence, satellite imagery and early-warning systems. Macron also criticised the US-Russia diesel arrangement, saying he believes it sends the wrong signal and will not effectively reduce fuel prices. He described the move as “inappropriate” and “ineffective” and said Europe should work to restore trust and clarity with Washington. On migration, Macron said Europe had “a bad debate on good results”, pointing to falling irregular border crossings and a higher return rate while warning against turning migration into an ideological fight between Member States. #eudebates #EmmanuelMacron #EuropeanCouncil #Ukraine