Paris (dpa) - French President Emmanuel Macron has invited Britain's new Prime Minister Boris Johnson for a visit "in the coming weeks," the Elysee Palace said on Friday.

Macron spoke to Johnson on Thursday night to congratulate him on his appointment by Britain's Queen Elizabeth, and hailed Franco-British cooperation on a range of issues, the palace said.

But the two leaders will discuss the thornier issue of Brexit "in the coming weeks, respecting the requirements of the European Union," the Elysee said.

France is widely seen as taking a hardline stance on Brexit, having been more sceptical than other member states about the April decision to grant Britain an extension to October 31 to prevent an immediate no-deal departure.

Johnson, however, says he wants to renegotiate the withdrawal agreement his predecessor Theresa May struck with the bloc.

In particular he wants to get rid of the "backstop" clause aimed at preventing a hard border between EU member state the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, which is part of the United Kingdom.