India, Feb. 13 -- German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron have demonstrated unity in how to revive Europe's ailing economy after recent public disagreements.

"We want to speed up the European Union, we want to make it better, and we want to ensure that we have a competitive industry in Europe," said Merz, as he arrived at a meeting of EU leaders on Thursday.

The talks at the Alden Biesen Castle close to Rijkhoven in eastern Belgium focuses on how to respond to stifling global competition and take on internal challenges to unlock growth.

Approaches in Berlin, Paris and beyond to addressing these issues however differ.

Macron has called for joint debt, which Germany opposes, is a stern opponent to a recent ...