Trump avoids peace forum in Paris

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has warned of the rise of nationalism in Europe and beyond at a forum for world leaders that Donald Trump did not attend.

Donald Trump at the Elysee Palace, Paris

Donald Trump has snubbed the Paris Peace Forum, leaving for Washington soon after it opened. (AAP)

The leaders of Germany and France have called for a unified approach to fostering world peace at a Paris forum attended by dozens of heads of state, with one notable exception: US President Donald Trump.

The Paris Peace Forum on Sunday followed a ceremony in the French capital to mark the centenary of the end of World War I.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel opened with a warning that "blinkered" nationalism was gaining ground in Europe and beyond.

Echoing earlier comments made by Macron, she said there was a worrying readiness by some to promote self interest and ignore ties that have underpinned peace since the end of World War II.

"Most of the challenges today cannot be solved by one nation alone, but together. That's why we need a common approach," Merkel told the audience.

"If isolation wasn't the solution 100 years ago, how can it be today in such an interconnected world?"

Leaders including Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart Tayyip Erdogan were among those who listened as Merkel, Macron and United Nations Secretary General Antonio Gutteres lauded the UN and institutions like it that seek multilateral solutions to global problems.

Trump, who champions a policy of "America first" and has said he is proud to be a nationalist, snubbed the event.

Air Force One departed Paris for Washington shortly after the peace forum opened.

Earlier on Sunday, Macron led a solemn ceremony to commemorate the centenary of the Armistice that brought WWI to an end, and appeared to take aim at Trump as he warned of the perils of resurgent nationalism.


Share
Published 12 November 2018 5:36am
Source: AAP


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world