Visiting German chancellor Angela Merkel said on Thursday that Germany would maintain close relations with UK and France.

"I also want to underline that Germany, and the new German Federal Government, has a great interest in maintaining good friendly relations with France, but not just with France, but particularly also with the United Kingdom," Merkel said in a joint news conference after talks with British Prime Minister Tony Blair at Downing Street.

"Germany and France have a very long European tradition. They often were the engines of European development, but this doesn't go against Britain." said Merkel, adding "from my point of view it is also desirable that it goes together with Britain."

Blair, who is the president of the European Union, also described the relationship between UK and Germany as "immensely important".

"In respect of the relationships inside Europe, France and Germany have had, and always will have, a strong relationship, and that is in the interests of Europe. In a Europe of 25 of course, however, all countries will have different sets of relationships within the European Union," said Blair.

"It is important for Britain and France to work closely together and of course our relationship with Germany is immensely important too. In the end the whole point about the European Union is that we benefit if we are working together," added Blair.

Blair, whose relations with Merkel's predecessor Gerhard Schroeder were strained over the war in Iraq, said he looked forward to developing a "very good close working relationship" with the new chancellor.

Blair and Merkel also talked about such issues as EU budget and trade.

At the news conference, Merkel avoided taking sides when asked whether she supported Britain or France in the row over the EU budget.

"I want to have success and the situation of each country has to be taken into account. If anybody forgets one country's interests then you won't get any success." said Merkel.

Blair said Britain would "use its best endeavors to get a budget deal at the December council" of the EU.

Source: Xinhua