BERLIN - French President Emmanuel Macron and Germany's conservative chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz agreed during a meeting in Paris to open a new chapter in Franco-German relations, a source close to Merz told Reuters.

"There was a great deal of agreement and numerous starting points for joint initiatives," the source said, adding that there had been a friendly atmosphere during their Wednesday meeting at the Elysee Palace.

Macron, who on Monday met US President Donald Trump in Washington, briefed EU leaders on the outcome of the talks earlier on Wednesday.

Merz, whose conservatives came first in a snap election last week, is expected to attempt to form a coalition with the third-placed Social Democrats of Germany's current chancellor, Olaf Scholz.

READ MORE: Germany's Merz calls for unity in Europe after election win

Merz has repreatedly said that Europe must unite in the face of a second Trump administration and must quickly establish an independent defense capability.