AACHEN, Germany, May 10, 2018 (News Wires) - French President Emmanuel Macron urged Germany to be bold in its ambition for European renewal, saying the European Union could not afford to show weakness and division in the face of outside threats and resurgent nationalism within its borders. Receiving the Charlemagne Prize for offering a "vision of a new Europe" in the German city of Aachen, Macron said bluntly that it was time for Berlin to let go of its obsession with a budget surplus - an achievement he said that came at the expense of others. He said Europe needed to be more ambitious in its financing to defend its interests and help bring about economic and fiscal convergence among member states. "That's why I believe in a stronger euro zone, more deeply integrated, with its own budget allowing for investments and convergence," Macron said after becoming only the second sitting French president to win the prestigious prize.
