Berlin - President Chirac and the French Prime Minister, Mr Lionel Jospin, flew into the east German town of Weimar last night for a two-day summit with the German Chancellor, Dr Helmut Kohl, Denis Staunton reports
Differences between the two sides over EMU have diminished as a recent economic upturn in both countries has made a successful launch of the euro more likely. The personal relationship between Dr Kohl and Mr Jospin has also improved since their first meeting in Poitiers in June.
With a federal election next year, Dr Kohl has become more cautious in his approach to European issues. Germany surprised many of its partners at the EU summit in Amsterdam by joining Britain in opposing institutional reforms which would have ended national vetoes in many areas of EU policy.