Germany has reached a breakthrough in talks to form a new coalition government. The nation's two major parties have agreed on a blueprint for formal negotiations. CGTN's Guy Henderson reports from Berlin.

After a marathon week - the parties of left and right came together.

With German Chancellor Angela Merkel still at the center - of a deal that brings a new coalition government one step closer.

ANGELA MERKEL GERMAN CHANCELLOR "The CDU unanimously approved the results of the exploratory talks, at which many participated and which was based on a broad foundation. And we will recommend our party to begin talks on forming a stable government."

Journalists were all set for a concluding statement on Thursday night but it never came. Instead - an all-nighter for negotiators - with senior party members apparently doing all they could to stay awake so that when their chance came, they'd be there to give credit to all sides.

THOMAS DE MAIZIERE GERMAN HOME AFFAIRS MINISTER "I believe that the Chancellor negotiated very well but the Social Democrats too achieved quite a good result. Once this is put together something good for our country will come out of it."

This is not an end to the uncertainty though - despite attempts to reassure.

MARTIN SCHULZ SOCIAL DEMOCRATIC PARTY LEADER "Germany will keep its role of strength within Europe when the next German government is built on the basis of this document. This is also a German answer to the proposals from Paris and Brussels.We are determined to use the economic and political power of Germany to once again make Europe the great project it is." 

Germany's DAX reacted positively to the breakthrough.

GUY HENDERSON BERLIN "This week was only about agreeing on the terms to start coalition talks - and even that must be signed off by the rank and file of the Social Democrats next weekend, in a vote that experts say is still too close to call. The next hurdle will be the actual negotiations. A government by the end of March is what those inside this building hope for - that'd be six months since the election. And there is still plenty that could prevent that. GH, CGTN, BERLIN.