Merz said the talks will cover economic, energy, security and defense policies. Macron added Ukraine, the Middle East, space, artificial intelligence, quantum technology, trade and defense of the European industry to the big agenda.
Both governments are presenting the meeting as an effort to build on the agreement reached at last year’s meeting in Toulon, France, rather than launching a brand new initiative. Two joint declarations on defense and broader bilateral relations are expected on Friday.
The warm personal relationship between Merz and Macron has helped revive what officials describe as the “Franco-German Reflex” after years of strained relations under former Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
Merz has spoken “deep personal relationships“And the French president, while officials in Paris and Berlin say the climate between the two leaders has improved a lot.
The looming French presidential election is adding to the urgency in Berlin, especially in the EU’s next seven-year budget. German European Minister Gunther Krichbaum he said on public radio Thursday that governments had to “seize the day” and finish major European projects quickly.
“At the very top of the list, of course, is the annual financial system,” Krichbaum said, referring to the budget. Germany wants the EU budget to put more emphasis on technology and innovation, “but above all, security and defense,” he added.
