"While France and Germany have successfully shaped the European agenda and achieved considerable progress in the past, their influence has become more circumscribed the larger the EU has become", Keller points out.

In advance, negotiators of both governments had agreed on a list of 15 joint projects, the German press agency (dpa) reported. Among other things, the talks covered cross-border rail connections, a strengthening of cooperation on climate and energy issues as well as the establishment of a Franco-German research network. The shutdown of the French nuclear power plant Fessenheim near the German border has also been discussed.

Merkel said during her speech in Aachen that the treaty would be concluded at a time of growing populism and that the "seemingly self-evident" would be called into question again. Merkel added that the Aachen treaty would renew the "foundation of cooperation between our countries".

The treaty also stipulates that military cooperation is to be strengthened and that common rules for arms exports are to be established. Both countries promise in the treaty to provide mutual assistance "in the event of an armed attack".

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