Germany and France to sign new friendship treaty in Aachen

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron are to sign a new friendship pact in the western German city of Aachen on Tuesday on the 56th anniversary of the Elysee Treaty signed in Paris.

The Treaty of Aachen commits the two neighbours to boost cooperation on European Union policies and to work towards a joint foreign and security policy. Economic integration is also to be enhanced.

In press interviews ahead of the meeting, veteran German Christian Democrat (CDU) politician Wolfgang Schaeuble, currently president of the German Bundestag, called for greater ambition in EU policy.

"We once again need concrete and meaningful integration projects that make clear to people that Europe achieves things in a completely different dimension and quality than each country on its own," Schaeuble said.

The Social Democrats (SPD), the junior partner in Merkel's grand coalition, also called for greater urgency. "For far too long, Chancellor Merkel in particular has let European initiatives from the French president run into the sand," senior SPD Bundestag member Achim Post said.

On January 22 1963, French President Charles de Gaulle and German Chancellor Konrad Adenauer signed the Elysee Treaty that made provision for regular consultations between the former enemies at top government level.

The two countries are now moving to cement their relationship with the EU at a crossroads.

Brexit looms. Merkel, chancellor since 2005, has stood down from leadership of the CDU and will not contest the next elections. And Macron has faced weeks of "yellow vest" protests over rising living costs and taxes in France.