Angela Merkel on Sunday gave German support to French proposals for a joint European military “intervention force” that will take action in trouble spots around the world.

Britain has already backed the planned force, which will operate independently of the European Union, despite misgivings that it could be seen as a “European army”.

The force is a key element of Emmanuel Macron’s proposals to reform European defence and integrate the continent’s many militaries more closely together.

Until now German reluctance has been seen as a major obstacle, but Mrs Merkel on Sunday gave qualified support to the plans.

“I am in favor of President Macron's proposal for an intervention initiative,” the German chancellor told Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung newspaper.

“However, such an intervention force with a common military-strategic culture must fit into the structure of defense cooperation,” she added.

“European defense cooperation is very important. Of the 180 weapon systems that currently coexist in Europe, we must move to a situation like the United States, which has only about 30 weapons systems.”

The new intervention force has been touted as an opportunity to involve Britain in European defence cooperation after Brexit.