The leaders of Germany and France pledged Monday to avoid political interference in a proposed merger of two French drug makers that would create a new global giant.
Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder and French President Jacques Chirac ? allies in opposing the Iraq war ? also stood firm in demanding bigger voting rights for their countries in negotiations on a future European Union constitution and tougher limits on EU spending.
Stepping up the push for a constitution, Schroeder and British Prime Minister Tony Blair will meet Thursday in Berlin to prepare for a summit of the three European leaders in Berlin next week, the German government said.
