Merz said at a press conference with Macron that a “strategic steering group” should consider how countries can increase deterrence in the future.
According to the chancellor, German forces will participate in the French nuclear exercise as “a complement” to NATO's nuclear weapons policy.
Merz also said he would “extend a hand” regardless of who became president in next year’s French presidential election.
At the same time, Macron said that opinion polls pointing to victory for far-right politician Marine Le Pen should be taken with a pinch of salt.
“Be careful with opinion polls. Trust the French people, don't always predict the worst for them,” he said at the press conference outside Cologne.
