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Post by Admin on Jul 15, 2021 15:05:54 GMT
Vice President Kamala Harris welcomed German Chancellor Angela Merkel to her residence in Washington on Thursday. (July 15)
Chancellor Angela Merkel visits the White House in her diplomatic swan song Thursday, underlining how important the veteran German leader has been to the transatlantic relationship, but also highlighting the unanswered questions she leaves behind.
Merkel, who has dealt with four US presidents and is stepping down later this year, was meeting President Joe Biden for an official working visit.
Starting with a breakfast at Vice President Kamala Harris's residence, before switching to the White House for one-on-one talks with Biden, and then an early dinner, the day is designed to "convey gratitude," a senior Biden administration official said.
The German leader, who said she was "shocked" by deadly flooding back home, was the first European leader invited by Biden to Washington, as well as the first foreign leader to be hosted by Harris at her residence.
Greeting Merkel at the vice presidential residence, Harris called her guest's career "extraordinary."
While it was not clear whether breakfast would tend more to Harris' California roots or feature a German flavor, a weighty discussion menu awaited the two women.
"The vice president will discuss how democracies around the world are in peril," Harris' office said, with challenges from China and Russia, gender inequality and climate crisis also high on the list.
The White House insists this is "very much a working visit," rather than a ceremonial farewell for the woman widely seen as Europe's steadiest leader during almost 16 years at the helm of the continent's biggest economy.
Merkel and Biden will discuss climate change, Covid-19 vaccine distribution, and the future of Afghanistan now that US, German and other foreign troops are leaving, the administration official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said.
She and Biden will discuss climate change, Covid-19 vaccine distribution, and the future of Afghanistan now that US, German and other foreign troops are leaving.
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Post by Admin on Jul 15, 2021 18:55:18 GMT
Exclusive DW interview: Former President George W. Bush reflects on his relationship with Chancellor Angela Merkel and her legacy.
"Merkel brought class and dignity to a very important position and made very hard decisions. She did what's best for Germany, and did so based upon principle," former U.S. President George W. Bush said in an interview with DW Washington Bureau Chief Ines Pohl ahead of Chancellor Angela Merkel's farewell visit to the White House on Thursday, July 15.
The interview at the Bush family's summer home in Maine was conducted as part of the DW documentary "Angela Merkel – Navigating a World in Crisis," which will be published on our DW Documentary YouTube channel in September, shortly before the federal elections which will determine Merkel's succession.
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Post by Admin on Jul 16, 2021 5:02:01 GMT
The US and Germany will stand together against Russian aggression, President Joe Biden said as he welcomed outgoing Chancellor Angela Merkel to Washington.
Mr Biden said he had voiced concern to Mrs Merkel over a Russia-to-Germany gas pipeline, but they agreed Moscow cannot be allowed to use energy as a weapon.
The US president said the two allies also opposed anti-democratic actions by China.
Mrs Merkel, who has worked with four US presidents, is leaving office.
"We stand together and will continue to stand together to defend our eastern flank allies at Nato against Russian aggression," Mr Biden told Thursday's joint news conference with Mrs Merkel.
He acknowledged the two did not see eye to eye on the nearly complete $11bn (£8bn) Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline. The White House has said it will be used by Russia as leverage over Ukraine and other neighbours.
"Good friends can disagree," said Mr Biden, who recently waived sanctions against Nord Stream 2.
The US president also said: "We will stand up for democratic principles and human rights when we see China or any other country working to undermine free and open societies."
Despite being strong trade partners, Berlin has at times been critical of Beijing on the issue of human rights.
Mr Biden also told reporters the US had no plans "at the moment" to send troops to Haiti amid growing unrest after the assassination of its president.
Asked about ongoing protests in Cuba, Mr Biden said the "failed state" was repressing its citizens.
"Communism is a failed system, a universally failed system," he said. "And I don't see socialism as a very useful substitute."
Both leaders emphasised the amicable nature of their hour-long meeting, with Mrs Merkel referring more than once to her host as "Dear Joe".
Mr Biden told his guest: "I will miss seeing you at our summits."
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Post by Admin on Oct 24, 2021 5:21:30 GMT
Former US President Obama pays tribute to 'friend' German Chancellor Angela Merkel
The former United States president Barack Obama has paid tribute to outgoing German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
In a video message on Friday, Obama said:
"I was privileged to draw on your partnership in overcoming a series of crises facing our people, and I was happy to become your friend, as I watched you draw on good humour, wise pragmatism and an unrelenting moral compass in making hard decisions over many years."
Friday marked Merkel's 107th EU summit as Germany's chancellor over nearly 16 years and probably her last.
German political parties are now in talks following last month's election fail to form a ruling coalition by mid-December.
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