French President Emmanuel Macron met with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Paris Thursday to discuss international crises and European issues, days before elections that will determine who succeeds her after 16 years in office.

Iran PressEurope: Key topics include the diplomatic and humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, the fight against Islamic extremists in Africa''s Sahel region and European Union affairs, both leaders said before their meeting, to be followed by a working dinner.

The meeting comes ahead of Germany's parliamentary elections on Sept. 26. Merkel has announced she won't seek a fifth term.

Although Germany will be putting together a new government after the election, “we want to make everything possible on the German side so that there is no standstill on the necessary decisions that need to be made,” Merkel said. In Germany, the outgoing chancellor stays on until a new coalition government is formed, which can take weeks or months. 219