BERLIN—German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday kick-started what promised to be difficult talk about strengthening the eurozone’s architecture, as Berlin maintained its skepticism over ambitious French proposals to deepen the integration of the currency union’s economies.
Mr. Macron has been seeking support from Ms. Merkel for his campaign to overhaul the eurozone’s institutions, with proposals for common spending and burden-sharing, and was counting on Thursday’s meeting to overcome...