Berlin, April 24 (QNA) - German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has tasked the defense ministry with continuing work alongside France on the next phase of a joint European air defense system.

In a statement, the German government said Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron agreed during talks to pursue multiple areas of cooperation, with a clearer roadmap for the project expected in the coming weeks.

Speaking separately, Macron said discussions with Berlin had been constructive, dismissing reports of a breakdown in negotiations. He confirmed that both countries' defense ministries had been instructed to advance cooperation across several areas, including a future combat aircraft program.

The development follows recent disagreements over leadership of the project, one of Europe's largest defense initiatives. The Future Combat Air System, involving Germany, France and Spain, aims to deliver a next-generation air combat network by 2040, replacing aircraft such as the Eurofighter and France's Rafale jets. (QNA)