BERLIN, Nov 6 (Reuters) - German Chancellor Friedrich

Merz has signalled support for an EU plan to protect the bloc's

steel sector after a summit in Berlin to thrash out proposals

for supporting the domestic steel industry.

"There are proposals at the European level, and we agree

that we want to support them," Merz said after the meeting that

brought together producers, German states and trade unions.

"The debate even turned to whether we could accelerate the

whole process with France," Merz said.