NNA - If Europe is attacked on its commercial interests it will have to make itself respected, French President Emmanuel Macron said on Monday ahead of an informal defence meeting with EU leaders in Brussels.

He added that recent declarations from the United States are pushing Europe to be stronger and more united.

"As much as Covid and the Russian aggression in Ukraine were a wake-up call for Europe, what is happening ... with the choices and the statements of the new administration of President Donald Trump pushes the EU to be more united and more active to respond to issues of collective security," Macron said. -- Reuters

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