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New German Chancellor Angela Merkel (L) of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) travels to Paris in an Airbus of the German Luftwaffe for her inaugural visit to French President Chirac, Berlin, Wednesday. 23 November 2005. It is Angela Merkel's first official trip as newly elected Chancellor. Accompanying her is the new German Foreign Minister Frank Walter Steinmeier of the Social Democrats (KEYSTONE/EPA/PEER GRIMM)