French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel gave a joint statement prior to a meeting at the chancellery in Berlin on Sunday.

　　German Chancellor Angela Merkel, right, and France's President Emmanuel Macron, left, address the media during a joint statement prior to a meeting at the chancellery in Berlin, Germany, Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018. [Photo: AP]

　　Merkel and Macron were consulting on a raft of issues including fixing the euro, migration, common defence and taxing digital companies as they look ahead to a December summit on the common currency.

　　Merkel stressed that with regards to EU reforms, they "really must deliver, and discuss with our colleagues in Europe what decisions we can take."

　　Macron, who came to take part in Germany's national remembrance day for the victims of war and dictatorship, said "a great deal" must be done to achieve "a more united, more sovereign and more efficient Europe, which we so urgently need."

　　The two biggest countries in Europe can be a powerful force to decide issues in Europe but in this case both leaders are hampered by falling support at home.

　　Macron has seen his poll ratings sag at home, where more mass protests took place on Saturday over proposed gas tax hikes.

　　Merkel has been a lame duck since saying she wouldn't seek another term.