German Chancellor Angela Merkel (R) welcomes France's President Nicolas Sarkozy before talks in Berlin, July 20, 2011. [Photo/Agencies]

PARIS - French President Nicolas Sarkozy's office says he and German Chancellor Angela Merkel have overcome differences and agreed on a common position ahead of an emergency European summit on spreading debt crises.

The leaders of the two largest economies in the eurozone held last-ditch talks for seven hours in Berlin ahead of Thursday's summit in Brussels, Sarkozy's office says.

It says in a statement early Thursday that the two leaders "reached agreement on a common Franco-German position," without elaborating on what the position is.

Earlier on Wednesday, Germany had downplayed calls from France and Brussels for a big announcement that could boost market confidence and contain the turmoil.