German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron agreed on Wednesday to try to resolve differences over the FCAS Franco-German-Spanish fighter jet project by the end of August, a German government spokesperson said.

The two leaders have reaffirmed Franco-German unity, vowing to tackle challenges ranging from transatlantic trade tensions to European defence and energy policy.

The “time has come to end the war in Gaza,” the leaders of the U.K., France and Germany said jointly — with all three under domestic pressure on the issue.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will host French President Emmanuel Macron for talks over dinner in Berlin on Wednesday, with Europe's battle to soften incoming U.S. tariffs and support for Ukraine expected to top a packed agenda.

French President Emmanuel Macron highlighted the Palestinian Authority's pledge to renew its governance and demilitarize Hamas. He hopes other countries will follow suit after the formal announcement at the United Nations General Assembly in September.