German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will host French President Emmanuel Macron at a dinner in Berlin on Wednesday evening, writes the DPA news agency.
This will be Macron’s first visit to Germany since the Mertz government took office on 6 May.
According to the agency, key topics on the agenda include efforts to strengthen Europe’s independence from the United States and discussion of a potential European nuclear shield, a concept that Merz’s predecessor Scholz reportedly viewed with deep scepticism. However, key differences remain between the two sides. Paris is pushing for a joint European debt to boost the continent’s defence industry – a proposal that Berlin rejects. France also supports the continued use and promotion of nuclear energy, while Germany has abandoned it altogether.
The focus is expected to be on European competitiveness, security and defence, as well as economic and social reforms. The dinner will take place at the Villa Borzig.
Just a day after being elected German Chancellor, Merz travelled to Paris to signal a “new beginning” in Franco-German relations. Both leaders are now keen to build on this momentum and deepen co-operation “at all levels”.
Earlier in July, first Macron and then Merz paid official visits to Britain.