Merz, Macron to address first day of Munich security meetAuthorities have thrown up a ring of steel around the Munich Security Conference. (Photo: AFP)MUNICH — German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron will Friday address the first day of the Munich Security Conference at a time of strained ties between Europe and the United States. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, Finnish President Alexander Stubb and British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper will also address the conference over the course of the day. The meeting comes as relations between Europe and the United States, their traditional allies and guarantors of the continent's security for decades, are under immense pressure. Rubio will address the conference on Saturday, a year after Vice President JD Vance used the same stage to attack European policies on immigration and free speech, shocking European allies.

Source: Bangkok Post February 13, 2026 12:56 UTC