Two weeks ago, Wolfgang Clement, Germany's economics minister, was so irritated by his French counterpart Nicolas Sarkozy's pronouncements on plans to create the naval equivalent of the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS) that he cancelled a meeting planned for October 14th at the very last minute. But, during several get-togethers this week, including a run in a Berlin park, Mr Clement and Mr Sarkozy made amends. Germany is now officially endorsing the idea of the creation of a European naval champion. Making it happen, however, will be no jog in the park.
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