BERLIN, July 6 (Reuters) - A German government official said on Monday that if Canada chose to order German submarines over South Korean ones in a current contract battle, it would be a good starting point for strategic cooperation and bring Ottawa closer to Europe for decades.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney will announce on Monday the preferred bidder, the Globe and Mail reported on Sunday.

The two contenders for the contract are Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) TKAG.DE, a German-Norwegian partnership, and South Korean shipbuilder Hanwha Ocean 042660.KS.