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       It’s been 60 years since France and Germany signed the Elysée Treaty, a friendship treaty supposed to bury hostility between the two neighbours when it was signed on 22 January 1963.

       But Russia's war in Ukraine has exacerbated tensions between the countries, revealing deep divisions in their strategic visions for Europe.

       Strategic Europe’s editor-in-chief Judy Dempsey told Euronews that this can be partly explained by core differences when it comes to approaches to defence.

       “It’s essentially how France sees its role in Europe and the role of Europe as looking after its own defence interests and security interests," said Dempsey.

       Germany & France account for most EU subsidies. Here's why it's a concern

       "This is something that Germany is unable to buy into because it’s very bad at doing security and defence. And also, actually, it does realise that the security provider for Germany, and indeed for Europe, remains the US,” she added.

       While Paris’ vision for defence is a European one, that is not necessarily the case for Germany: The ‘European Sky Shield’ contract that Berlin signed in October with several EU countries includes defence systems from the US and Israel - leaving Paris furious.

       Dempsey also said that Germany has been an obstacle to French President Emmanuel Macron's plan for a more integrated Europe and that it's unclear where Scholz stands on the topic.

       US President Joe Biden shakes hands with French President Emmanuel Macron while German Chancellor Olaf Scholz looks on during the G20 leaders' summit 15 November 2022 Dita Alangkara/AP

       Judy Dempsey argues that within the EU, France is the defensive player, and Germany is the economic one.

       She adds that the war in Ukraine has boosted NATO, and is pushing Germany to ditch its post-Cold war era links to Russia.

       “The whole issue of stability must be central to the relationship between Paris and Berlin. If they can understand how fragile this stability is, that means they can bring on the other member states, and actually give the transatlantic relationship a much-needed boost, with Europe playing a much stronger role,’’ Dempsey told Euronews.

       Watch the video in the player above.

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       Western envoys went to Kosovo and Serbia on Friday as part of their ongoing efforts to defuse tensions between the two countries and attempt to help them reach a reconciliation agreement.

       Representatives from the US and Europe first met Kosovo's Prime Minister Albin Kurti in the capital Pristina to discuss the proposal for the normalisation of relations that they presented to him late last year.

       Afterwards, EU envoy Miroslav Lajcak said he'd hoped for a more encouraging response.

       "I want to say however at this point is that we had expected a better understanding of the opportunities this proposal offers," Lajcak told reporters. "I hope we will get there to full understanding and full use of the potential of this proposal. We are going to continue to work on this.”

       After the meeting, the representatives headed to Belgrade.

       Although Kosovo is made up of largely of ethnic Albanians, there's a large Serbian community living in the north and friction with Pristina has been constant since the territory proclaimed independence from Serbia in 2008.

       Belgrade has not yet recognised it.

       Border barricades to be dismantled today after stand-off between Kosovo and Serbia Kosovo Serbs start dismantling barricades in bid to defuse military tensions Serbia revokes the combat readiness of its troops as tension with Kosovo ease

       The situation in the north remains volatile as there are only a few dozen police officers of the European Union rule of law mission, known as EULEX, taking care of the area’s security after all ethnic Serb representatives resigned from their posts in November.

       Tension spiked late last year when Kosovo Serbs erected roadblocks in protest at the arrest of a former policeman. KFOR peacekeepers lifted the barricades.

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       Brazilian football player Dani Alves was arrested on Friday after being accused of sexually abusing a woman in Spain.

       The former Barcelona player is alleged to have committed the act on New Year's Eve at a nightclub in the city, according to police.

       Alves has denied the accusations.

       The charge of sexual abuse in Spain can mean anything from unsolicited and unwanted sexual groping to rape.

       As well as Barcelona, the 39-year-old has won major titles with Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain. He now plays with the Mexican club Pumas.