German Chancellor Angela Merkel (2nd r) and French Pres. Nicolas Sarkozy (3rd r) lay a wreath of flowers at the Tomb of Unknown soldier at the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, 11 Nov 2009Two days after 20th anniversary celebrations of the fall of the BerlinWall, German and French leaders met in Paris in another symbol ofgrowing European unity, to jointly commemorate Armistice Day. This is the first time a German leader has attendedthe Paris ceremony marking the end of World War I.

On a cold andgray morning, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French PresidentNicolas Sarkozy together rekindled a flame before the Tomb of theUnknown Soldier near the Champs Elysees.

The two Europeanleaders listened to a French army choir sang the Marseillaise and thenthe German anthem, marking a French-German friendship that grew fromthe ashes of the two world wars. France and Germany helped found theEuropean Union and are still considered the main engines driving the27-member bloc.

In a speech at the tomb, Mr. Sarkozy said Germanyand France share the same values, the same ambitions for Europe and thesame currency. He said the friendship between the two countries shouldbe treasured and when the two work together, they accomplish greatthings.

Ties have grown closer between France and Germany overthe years. Relations between former French president Jacques Chiracand German chancellor Gerhard Schroeder were particularly strong andthe two forged a united front against the U.S.-led war in Iraq.

Mrs.Merkel and Mr. Sarkozy are not as close. France and Germany disagreein some areas, like cutting government deficits. But experts likeJean-Luc Sauron say the French-German relationship still matters.

Aprofessor at Paris-Dauphine University, Sauron told French radio it isimportant for the two countries to go beyond symbols like ArmisticeDay. One test will be next week, when European Union leaders gather tochoose the first president of the European Union. France and Germanyare expected to support the same candidate for the post.