Italy's premier Paolo Gentiloni on Friday welcomed the news that German politicians have achieved a breakthrough in gruelling overnight talks aimed at forming a new government.
"The agreement between Merkel and Schulz forms the basis for a new coalition government in Germany," Gentiloni tweeted.
"This is good news for Europe," Gentiloni's tweet continued.
A blueprint for formal negotiations was agreed between Chancellor Angela Merkel's Christian Democrats (CDU) and their former coalition partners, the Social Democrats (SPD) nearly four months after elections were held September.
The exploratory talks reached agreement on key sticking points such as migration and the deal eases months of uncertainty that has dented Germany’s global role and raised questions over its political future.
Before the next round of talks to revive the “grand coalition” that has governed since 2013 can take place, the SPD must give the go-ahead at a special party conference planned for 21 January.
The centre-right CDU and its Bavarian CSU ally have been unable to form a government since September's inconclusive polls
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