BERLIN Cheap Adidas Originals Sale , May 15 (Xinhua) -- German Chancellor Angela Merkel and newly elected French President Emmanuel Macron met here Monday to address a range of prickly issues concerning the two countries as well as EU amid inner differences and doubts from outside.
Some German media outlets had dubbed the meeting as the beginning of "Mekron" era before it kicked off, noting that the like-minded two politicians would enhance Franco-German ties and create a reason of hope in the trouble-riddled regional bloc.
IS "MEKRON" ERA COMING?
One optimistic sign was that Merkel and Macron seemed to hit it off in their first gathering.
Their talks, lasting for about an hour, covered some ground-breaking themes like EU reforms, as Merkel and Macron said they all agreed to change some existing treaties in order to strengthen the 28-member union.
"Europe can only prosper when France and Germany prosper," she noted.
Her statement was echoed by the 39-year-old Macron, who said that "there is absolutely no taboo for us here."
Germany and France have traditionally been regarded as the driving force behind European integration, but the Brexit spillovers and the rising far-rights on the continent have cast shadows on their efforts to some extent.
EU integration supporters in the two countries were emboldened recently, as Macron defeated the rightist opponent Marine Le Pen, while Merkel's pro-EU Christian Democratic Union (CDU) stood firm during three state elections in a row.
PRO-EU IN DIFFERENT WAYS
Despite all the good talk about the meeting and the messages released in it, some analysts warned Merkel and Macron might have envisioned different structures in the EU, which could put the two countries at odds.
Der Spiegel said that Macron has long wanted a union that gives Brussels greater powers, instead of seeing Berlin "steer the wheel."
The new host of Elysee Palace had earlier suggested setup of a European finance ministerial post and a budget for the eurozone, something widely seen as an attempt to transfer more legitimacy from national governments to the EU and could raise eyebrows in Berlin.
He also backs the issuing of joint Euro Bonds, which also seems suspicious in the eyes of Merkel's CDU party.
Last Monday, Merkel told her party members that Germany would not need to change its economic course just because Macron was elected.
There are also a number of skeptics within Merkel's government that have objected to Macron's closer integration calls, for fear of the possible aftermaths that Germany may have to offer "free rides" while suffering more threats on the job and security fronts.
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RIO DE JANEIRO, Dec. 2 (Xinhua) -- Guangzhou Evergrande could launch a bid to sign former Brazil striker Fred in what would represent one of the biggest coups in the history of the Chinese Super League.
The 31-year-old is reportedly disillusioned at Fluminense and has made public his willingness to leave the Brazilian club.
According to local news portal Uol, Fred is a target of Evergrande football director Marcello Lippi, who is currently on a scouting mission for new players in the South American country.
It is understood the Chinese club is open to matching Fred's Fluminense salary of 350,000 US dollars a month.
""The No. 9 is prepared to leave Fluminense because the club has decided they no longer want him,"" Uol said, adding that Evergrande would have to accept Fred's six million-euro buyout clause.
Fred's discontent at the Rio de Janeiro outfit has been augmented by the fact he is owed almost two years of image rights.
He also blames ""political forces"" within the club for orchestrating a fan protest last week that called for his axing from the first team.
Despite the growing schism between Fred and Fluminense's hierarchy, the centre-forward has recaptured his prolific form after being widely criticized for scoring just one goal during Brazil's World Cup campaign.
The former Lyon forward, who retired from international football after Brazil's 7-1 World Cup semifinal loss to Germany in July, has responded in the way he knows best - with a glut of goals.
A brace in his team's 5-2 victory over Corinthians on Sunday saw him vault to the top of Brazil's Serie A scoring charts with 17 goals this season.
It is understood Guangzhou have used their former star Conca - now Fred's teammate at Fluminense - as a conduit in negotiations.
Conca enjoyed idol status during his two and a half years with Evergrande before he returned to Fluminense, his former club, in January.
There has even been speculation that Conca himself might return to China after Lippi was seen talking with the Argentine last week.
Conca's salary is similar to that of Fred, a value Fluminense sees as disproportionate as it seeks to slash its debt and rejuvenate an aging squad.
According to sources close to Guangzhou Evergrande, Lippi's Brazilian wish-list also includes former Selecao striker Leandro Damiao, Parana Clube attacker Thiaguinho and Fluminense quartet Jean, Cicero, Henrique and Bruno.
Guangzhou's squad currently boasts two Brazilians - midfielder Rene Junior and forward Elkeson.
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