EU CIVIL WAR: France and Germany STRENGTHEN alliance – and Italy will be furious

The new Treaty of Aachen will build on the 1963 Elysee Treaty, which has become the driving force behind the European Union’s most powerful internal relationship. The French President and German Chancellor will concluded during a symbolic ceremony in the town hall of German border city of Aachen. Both countries have pledged to “deepen their cooperation in foreign affairs, defence, external and internal security and development,” according to the treaty text.

The pact also commits them to “work on strengthening the ability of Europe to act independently”.

Mr Macron’s office said the deal would act as an extension to their previous post-war reconciliation and would help both countries tackle “the challenges they will be confronted with in the 21st century”.

“We envisage deepening our engagement in favour of security and prosperity of our people in the framework of a more sovereign, united and democratic Europe,” a spokesman said.

As part of a German effort to secure greater global influence, the treaty sets out a diplomatic pledge to work towards Germany being accepted as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council.

Germany and France will both remain committed to the EU and NATO defence alliance despite the new Franco-German accord.

Heiko Maas, German foreign minister, said: “Germany and France are making clear that to solve future questions, we need more, not less cooperation.”

But the Franco-German agreement lacks concrete projects for the two countries to work on, however, they plan to strengthen cooperation in other areas, such as education, climate change and culture.

“Closer cooperation does not come at the cost of our sovereignty, but makes us stronger,” Mr Maas added.

The treaty also further outlines closer cooperation between national intelligence services and police in fighting terrorism and organised crime, and a commitment to moving towards economic convergence.

Both states will deepen the integration of their economies towards a German-French economic area with common rules,” said the treaty text.

The newly refreshed bond will likely spark fury in Italy, whose nationalist government could interpret the pact as a move to block Rome from playing a larger role in EU industry.

France, with German backing, has requested the EU Commission to review the takeover of Chantiers de L’Atlantique, one of the world’s largest shipyards, by Fincantieri, Italy’s state-owned shipbuilding firm.

Brussels has announced it is “best placed” to delve into the potential cross-border implications of the takeover.

“The acquisition of Chantiers de l’Atlantique by Fincantieri will be fully examined by the Commission,” the Brussels executive announced in a statement.

Italian deputy prime minister Matteo Salvini instantly denounced the decision and accused both France and Germany of behaving “wrongly”.

“What has happened is extremely serious, France and Germany behaved wrongly,” he said, according to his spokeswoman.

“It throws into doubt all accords.”

Italian prime minister Giuseppe Conte also insisted he was “surprised” by the Commission’s decision during a television interview.