Macron and Jetten pledge closer Franco–Dutch cooperation to make EU a tech leader
Macron and Jetten met in Eindhoven and called for stronger European supply chains and closer links between business, science and industry.
French President Emmanuel Macron and Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten announced plans for closer Franco–Dutch cooperation on European technology after meeting at the Brainport technology hub in Eindhoven.
The leaders said they want to strengthen Europe's strategic autonomy amid shifting geopolitical tensions and global conflicts. Macron warned that Europe must shore up its industrial base to remain competitive.
Concrete focus areas and industrial links
Macron underlined the need to reinforce supply chains on the continent, saying: "Europe, if it wants to stay in the race, must strengthen European supply chains."
Jetten described the bilateral effort as a driving force for emerging sectors, calling the cooperation "a motor for innovation, artificial intelligence, quantum technology and electronics." He added that "The European Union itself must become a technological giant," and urged better connections between companies, science, talent and industry.
Both leaders framed the initiative as a response to broader global competition: by pooling resources, research and industrial capacity they aim to boost Europe's ability to develop and manufacture next-generation technologies at scale.
The announcement in Eindhoven signals an intensification of partnerships between EU governments that see technological sovereignty as central to economic and security policy.
Photo: press material from the event
