France's Macron urges world leaders to reject nationalism
  • 5 years ago
World leaders gathered in France on Sunday to mark 100 years since the end of World War I.
The leaders of France and Germany used the occasion to warn against nationalism.
For more on this and other news around the world we turn to our Ro Aram…
Aram… tell us more….

Well Mark… During the ceremony at the Arc de Triomphe, French President Emmanuel Macron spoke bluntly of the threat from nationalism, calling it a betrayal of moral values.
His comments came as U.S. President Trump, who has called himself a nationalist, sat a few meters away.

"This vision of France, as a generous nation, with a vision, which carries universal values has been, in those dark times, exactly the opposite of the selfishness of a people which only looks at its own interests. Because patriotism is the exact opposite of nationalism. Nationalism is its betrayal. By pursuing our own interests first, with no regard to others', we erase the very thing that a nation holds most precious, that which gives it life and makes it great: its moral values."

Also in the audience was Russian President Vladimir Putin, who was the last to arrive at the ceremony.
Several world leaders held bilateral meetings at Sunday's events.
Putin told reporters that he did not meet Trump because they didn't want to interrupt the schedule of the host.
The Russian leader gave a brief thumbs up to Trump upon his arrival.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel echoed Macron's sentiment on nationalism during the Paris Peace Forum, which was held after the Armistice ceremony.
She warned that "blinkered" nationalism was gaining ground in Europe and elsewhere.
President Trump was absent from the event and left for the U.S. shortly after it began.
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