Brexit: May offers hope for EU citizens, wins guarded praise

French President Emmanuel Macron arrives at a press conference at the EU summit in Brussels, Belgium, June 22, 2017. [Photo/Agencies]

French President Emmanuel Macron pledged at his first EU summit as head of state to breathe new life into a European Union stung by Britain's departure and deeply divided over the best way to accommodate refugees.

He pushed at the summit for joint European defense, a joint budget for countries that use the euro and a tougher stance against the US and China on trade.

Macron promised to forge ahead with Germany to make the bloc stronger and more relevant to citizens.

"Europe is not, to my mind, just an idea. It's a project, an ambition," he told reporters.

On the opening day of the two-day leader's summit, the EU announced agreements on extending sanctions against Russia and on fighting climate change.

After a string of small-scale terrorist attacks in European capitals this week, the EU leaders also agreed to join efforts seeking to curb online extremism and crack down on Europeans who go abroad to fight jihad. They also agreed to jointly develop or purchase military equipment like drones.

AP