Sarkozy to visit Merkel next week

PARIS (Reuters) - French president-elect Nicolas Sarkozy will visit German Chancellor Angela Merkel next week, possibly on the day he takes office, an aide said on Thursday.

Sarkozy, who beat Socialist Segolene Royal in Sunday's presidential election, is due to take over from President Jacques Chirac on Wednesday, May 16.

Heading to Berlin so soon after taking power would underscore the importance that right-winger Sarkozy attaches to good relations with Germany.

The two nations have traditionally driven European Union policy but that joint force weakened when French voters rejected a draft constitution for the bloc two years ago.

"We would like it (the visit) to immediately follow the transfer of power, maybe on the 16th or the 17th," said the Sarkozy aide, who asked not to be named.

Sarkozy and Merkel, both conservatives, are united in their support for closer ties with Washington and in their opposition to Turkey's bid to join the EU.

They also want the EU to agree on a simplified treaty that will implement much of the institutional reform provided for by the constitution, without consulting voters by referendum.

Sarkozy will meet Prime Minister Tony Blair in Paris on Friday, probably in the afternoon, the aide said.

Blair and Sarkozy have warm personal relations and common views on economic policy. Blair said on Thursday he would resign as prime minister next month.