Bormes-les-Mimosas, France, 29 August 2025 (dpa/MIA) -- German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron are scheduled to lead a bilateral ministerial council meeting on Friday on the French Riviera, focusing on economic and security policy.

The meeting in the coastal city of Toulon is the first in this format since the government change in Berlin earlier this year.

Ahead of the council, which will include 10 ministers from each country, Merz and Macron met on Thursday evening at Macron's summer residence, Fort de Brégançon.

After years of strained relations with Merz's predecessor, Olaf Scholz, the French leader said the successful restart of relations can serve as a driving force for strengthening Europe.

"I believe that the Franco-German tandem is now perfectly coordinated to create a stronger Europe in the areas of economy, trade and currency," Macron stated.

Merz also emphasized the importance of the "axis" of the two countries' ties, saying "Germany and France play a central role in this European Union, on this European continent."

The talks come amid a deepening political crisis in France, with Prime Minister François Bayrou expected to seek a confidence vote in parliament on September 8, potentially toppling the government.

Later on Friday, a Franco-German Defence and Security Council will convene to discuss European weapons production and joint defence projects.