Olaf Scholz's first foreign trip as German chancellor to be to Paris and Brussels

In Brussels, Scholz is due to meet European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen and EU President Charles Michel, with preparations for next week’s EU summit on the agenda

Germany’s new chancellor Olaf Scholz will make his first official visit on Friday to Paris, where he will hold talks with France’s President Emmanuel Macron before heading to Brussels, the chancellery says in a statement, Qazet.az reports citing Times of Israel.

The French leader is due to welcome Scholz with military honors, says the chancellery, adding that “the first foreign visit from Chancellor Scholz is the expression of the close ties and friendship between Germany and France.”

In Brussels, Scholz is due to meet European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen and EU President Charles Michel, with preparations for next week’s EU summit on the agenda.