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July 24, 2008 8:14:51 AM CDT

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Merkel Crushes Sarkozy's Plans for 'Club Med'

Posted Mar 14, 08 11:59 AM CDT in World 

(Newser) – Nicolas Sarkozy has been forced to abandon his proposal for what detractors have called a French-led Club Med—a Mediterranean Union of southern European, Middle Eastern, and North African states—under fierce opposition from Germany. Angela Merkel has been a consistent opponent of the scheme, and she threatened a boycott of a Paris summit, says the Guardian. The incident is only the latest clash between Sarkozy and Merkel, signaling a low point in French-German relations.

Sarkozy's plan for a "political, economic and cultural union" was designed to solidify France's position in the region and strengthen the country's leadership credentials—as well as keep Turkey from joining the EU. But Merkel insisted that "Club Med" would split the EU. After 10 days of negotiations, the two compromised on a face-saving proposal that bears little resemblance to Sarkozy's original plan.

Source Guardian (UK)

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French President Nicolas Sarkozy, right, talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Brussels.   (AP Photo/Michel Euler)
French President Nicolas Sarkozy arrives for the second day of a two-day EU summit in Brussels, Friday, March 14, 2008.   (AP Photo/Thierry Charlier)
German Chancellor Angela Merkel arrives for the second day of a two-day EU summit in Brussels, Friday, March 14, 2008.   (AP Photo/Yves Logghe)
German Chancellor Angela Merkel arrives for the second day of a two-day EU summit in Brussels, Friday, March 14, 2008.   (AP Photo/Thierry Charlier)
Angela Merkel, Germany's chancellor, talks with Nicolas Sarkozy, France's president, as European heads of state gather during the European Summit, in Brussels on Thursday, March 13, 2008.   (AP Photo/Jock Fistick,Pool)
French President Nicolas Sarkozy, right, jokes with Spain's Prime Minister Jose Luis Zapatero, Thursday, March 13, 2008 in Brussels.   (AP Photo/Michel Euler)
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France  • Nicolas Sarkozy  • Germany  • European Union  • Angela Merkel  • Mediterranean Union


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