The German government on Friday said talks over the next phase of the joint development of a Franco-German fighter jet are on the right path but did not confirm an agreement.
"We have nothing new to report but we are on the right path," a defence ministry spokesperson in Berlin said.
When pushed on whether it was correct that there was no agreement yet, he added: "In principle, you are right. We are on a good path and as soon as there is agreement, we will communicate it."
Asked whether there will be an announcement at a meeting between German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne next Friday, Scholz's spokesman said: "We are very confident that we will be able to answer your question on Friday."
(Reporting by Sabine Siebold and Paul Carrel; Editing by Miranda Murray)