July 2014 File Photo: German Chancellor Angela Merkel, left, speaks with French President Francois Hollande. (AP Photo)
Berlin:
German Chancellor Angela Merkel next week is to visit France for talks with President Francois Hollande and the Vatican, where she will meet Pope Francis, Berlin said today.
In her lunch meeting with Hollande on February 20, Merkel plans to discuss the crises in Ukraine, Syria and Iraq and the major themes of this year's G7 summit in Germany, her spokesman said.
Merkel and Hollande this week attended marathon talks in Minsk with the leaders of Ukraine and Russia. The negotiations yielded a plan to end the 10-month conflict in eastern Ukraine.
From Paris she will travel to Rome for a private audience on February 21 with Pope Francis, said her spokesman Steffen Seibert.
"The chancellor and Pope Francis will discuss inter-religious dialogue, globalisation, international crises and conflicts, as well as Europe's role in the world," he said.
Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world
