Macron hails ties with Berlin

France, Germany aim to define EU's future amid differing visions

French President Emmanuel Macron's state visit to Germany will be critical to the future direction of the European Union and the role to be played by the two countries at a time when their leaders do not see eye to eye on some key issues, experts say.

The three-day visit, which started on Sunday at the invitation of German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, is the first by a French president in 24 years since a trip by Jacques Chirac in 2000.

"Franco-German relations are indispensable and important for Europe," Macron said shortly after landing in Berlin. He had previously visited Germany many times but not as a state visit.