France and Germany are backing a European Commission proposal for a recovery fund including 500 billion euros in budgetary transfers and 250 billion euros in loans.

Opposing that idea are Austria, Denmark, the Netherlands and Sweden, who reject any pooling of member states' debts.

Macron warned the four countries, nicknamed "frugal four," that they were acting against their own best interests. They "gain a lot -- more than others -- from taking part in a common space of prosperity and exchange," he argued.

"And so it is not in their interest to see some members, especially important markets in the European economy, affected," said Macron.

He said the pandemic is not yet at its peak, and that steps needed to be taken at the EU level to deal with challenges on the horizon.

"The chancellor and I put it on paper: It's our absolute priority. Without this, Europe wouldn't rise to the challenge," Macron said, referring to the post-pandemic recovery plan.

EU leaders are due to meet up in person next month to try to reach an agreement on the recovery package.

【国际英语资讯:Merkel, Macron demonstrate unity on post-pandemic EU recovery】相关文章：

★ 李克强不在意美大选抨击 强调互信

★ 小心Facebook泄露你的隐私

★ 瑞银对自身风险缺乏监控

★ 日本再陷衰退 首相选情告急

★ 奥巴马连任美国总统

★ 德意志银行率先出台严厉奖酬规则

★ 孟加拉警方逮捕发生火灾的工厂官员

★ 飓风一周 美国逾170万家庭仍断电

★ 该不该说出真相？

★ 世界末日不在眼前