Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel said she is in favor of closer military cooperation with France, in her weekly video message on Saturday.
She said Germany and France could improve their relationship by coordinating foreign policy initiatives.
"We showed this for example by the training of the soldiers in Mali," said Merkel.
"We share the burden with France and showed it once again by increasing the contingent of German soldiers, who are responsible for education in Mali."
Merkel and several ministers will travel to Paris on Wednesday where they will discuss cooperation in a range of fields, including climate protection, energy, foreign affairs, economics and social affairs.