France's President Emmanuel Macron speaks with Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz at the EU headquarters in Brussels, on March 19, 2026.John Thys/AFP via Getty Images

France and Germany give themselves more time on joint fighter jet (once again) – POLITICO

24 Apr 2026, 08:29 by Giorgio Leali · POLITICO

NICOSIA — France and Germany will take more time to try to break the deadlock on a joint fighter jet project.

French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz discussed the contentious project over coffee on the terrace at the Landmark Hotel in Nicosia, before joining other EU leaders at an informal summit.

"We have had a good discussion this morning with Mr. Chancellor and we have tasked our defense ministries to work on several axes, on different topics, not only the next-generation fighter jet, but different cooperation venues for our countries,” Macron said as he entered the summit.