Macron stresses Europe peace role

Visiting French President Emmanuel Macron called for a stronger Europe to face common challenges during a meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel on the importance of the France-Germany partnership.

Macron said the two countries have the duty "not to allow the world to slide into chaos, and to accompany it on the road of peace", as Europe is facing multiple concerns such as climate change, trade conflicts and migration.

Macron said in his speech that France and Germany had overcome 200 years of wars to make lasting peace and cement a bedrock of cooperation in all fields.

He also urged European governments to seize more responsibility for their own fate, especially regarding defense, calling again for a European army.

"We must do a great deal by May next year to achieve a more united, more sovereign and more efficient Europe, which we so urgently need," he said.

Merkel said she would discuss the defense of Europe with Macron, especially the establishment of a long-term European army, which was suggested by Macron earlier this month and was supported by Merkel last week.

The French president delivered his message during a speech to the Federal Parliament during his visit to Berlin to take part in Germany's national remembrance day for the victims of war and dictatorship.

The two countries on Friday agreed on a proposal for a common budget for eurozone member states within the EU's overall budget, according to a document seen by the dpa news agency. German Finance Minister Olaf Scholz said the proposal was to be presented to European finance ministers on Monday.

However, the two sides could not agree on a tax on digital companies such as Amazon and Google. The French and the European Commission have proposed imposing such a tax, but Scholz said the issue should be left with the 36-member Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.

Meanwhile, Macron's popularity took a further hit in recent weeks, according to a poll on Sunday, as fuel tax protests rumbled on across France in the latest sign of discontent with the president's economic reforms.

Thousands of people took part in demonstrations on motorways across France over the weekend, sparking major logjams and several accidents, including a fatality at one road blockade.

Protesters blocked access to three oil depots on Monday, including two run by Total, the company said.

Liu Xuan, AP and Reuters contributed to this story.