dpa
BERLIN (dpa)- German Chancellor Angela Merkel wishes to hold one-on-one talks with new British Prime Minister Boris Johnson in the near future to talk about Brexit and other issues of mutual interest, the German government spokesman said in Berlin on Friday.
The meeting would take place soon, spokesman Steffen Seibert said without specifying a date.
Downing Street declined to comment on a possible meeting when contacted by dpa. Both leaders will however be attending the G7 summit in Biarritz, France, from August 24 to 26. Johnson's schedule for the summit will be released on Monday.
Johnson has said he will take Britain out of the European Union on October 31, "do or die."
He has pledged to leave the EU with or without an agreement if the bloc does not agree to major changes to the deal that was hammered out with his predecessor, Theresa May, but has repeatedly been rejected by the British parliament.
The EU has rejected making any changes, giving rise to increased fears of a no-deal Brexit with potentially severe economic and other consequences.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------