DIPLOMACY | 07.06.2011

Merkel and Obama stress close ties

 

Obama hopes to strengthen ties with Germany

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and US President Barack Obama have stressed their close ties during her visit to Washington. Later, the US president is to present the chancellor with America's highest civilian award.

 

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and US President Barack Obama stressed their countries’ close ties during a joint news conference held following a meeting at the White House on Tuesday.

But President Obama expressed concerns about the current European debt crisis, saying that any "uncontrolled spiral" and default in the eurozone would be disastrous for the global economy.

   

"We need to make sure that all the best ideas are brought on the problem," Obama said. He also noted Germany’s key role in efforts to come to grips with the crisis, which has seen the International Monetary Fund and the European Union provide billions of euros in financial bailouts to Greece, Ireland and Portugal.

Chancellor Merkel said Germany and its European partners were aware of their obligations to the global economy and would  ensure that the financial woes of no single country will be allowed to destabilize the euro.

"If a country is in danger and therefore endangers the euro as a whole, it is in each and every country's vested interest to see to it that this common currency area is not endangered, and we will act in such a way however that sustainability is guaranteed," Merkel said.

‘Gadhafi must go’

On Libya, both leaders stressed that Moamar Gadhafi must step down.The chancellor said Germany was “committed to the Libyan cause” and the success of a NATO operation to impose a no-fly zone over Libya – despite the fact that it abstained from a United Nations Security Council vote authorizing the mission.

Earlier in the day, Chancellor Merkel was welcomed to the White House by President Obama and his wife Michelle. She also received the honor of a 19-gun military salute.

In a speech delivered on the south lawn of the White House, President Obama said the transatlantic alliance was at the heart of efforts to promote peace and prosperity around the world.

"Germany at the heart of Europe is one of our strongest allies and Chancellor Merkel is one of my closest global partners," Obama said."Our alliances with nations like Germany are more important than ever, indeed they are indispensable."

Chancellor Merkel also highlighted the close ties between the two countries.

"We Germans know that America has always been a true friend to us, our friendship has grown and matured, and every day it is filled with new life," Merkel said.

Merkel is to receive the highest US civilian award

The highlight of Chancellor Merkel's trip to Washington is to be a formal dinner hosted by President Obama at the White House, during which he is to present her with the Presidential Medal of Freedom – the highest US civilian award. The dinner is to be attended by 250 invited guests.

Working dinner

Merkel and Obama already held two hours of talks at a Washington restaurant following her arrival on Monday evening. German officials said those talks, which were held in a “relaxed atmosphere” touched on a wide range of subjects such as the upheaval in North Africa, the situation in Afghanistan, and the Middle East peace process.

This is Merkel's sixth trip to Washington since President Obama took office. She is being accompanied on the trip by five members of her cabinet, who were to hold meetings with their American counterparts.

Author: Chuck Penfold (AP, AFP, dpa)
Editor: Nicole Goebel

 

 

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