BAnd the principal Angela Merkel (CDU) and U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris emphasized the importance of common values between the two countries. When Merkel arrived for breakfast at the Vice President’s office in Washington on Thursday, Harris said she was honored to meet with the Prime Minister. She mentioned the “common values” between the two countries and paid tribute to Merkel’s “extraordinary” political career. At the beginning of the visit, Merkel emphasized the need to work together to “strengthen democratic values.” Government spokesman Stephen Seibert had previously announced that he would fully exchange views at the meeting.
Merkel arrived in Washington the day before for a farewell visit and wanted to meet with the President of the United States at the White House in the afternoon (8 pm German time) Joe Biden meet. She is the first European head of government that Biden has received at the White House since taking office in January.
A new starting point for German-American relations
This visit is intended to mark the beginning of German-American relations after the trough of Biden’s predecessor’s era Donald Trump mark. Biden is trying to repair relations with Germany and other US allies who are severely strained under Trump. The White House spokesperson Jempsaki said before Merkel’s visit: “Your visit will reaffirm the deep and lasting bilateral relationship between the United States and Germany.”
A senior U.S. government official emphasized on Thursday: “Germany is one of our most loyal allies.” Merkel and Biden will issue the “Washington Declaration” after their meeting, “This will outline their shared vision of working together to overcome political problems. .challenge”.
The government representative also made it clear during the meeting between Biden and Merkel that the United States does not want the conflict on the North Stream 2 natural gas pipeline to be resolved. She wants Biden to raise his concerns. However, they do not believe that this discussion will lead to results or official announcements.”Very productive” dialogue between representatives Federal government The United States will continue to discuss this issue in the next few days. Merkel also doubts whether there will be a final solution now.
Konfliktthema Nord Stream 2
The Nord Stream 2 Baltic Sea pipeline is currently the biggest conflict between the United States and Germany. It aims to bypass Ukraine and send Russian gas to Germany. The United States and some Eastern European NATO partners were worried that Europe would rely too much on Russia’s energy supply and therefore rejected the project. For weeks, Washington and Berlin have struggled to find compromises.According to the foreign minister, you have Heiko Mars Approximate on many points.
Other topics of the White House talks should be dealing with China and Russia, the threat situation in Afghanistan shortly before the end of international military operations, and the fight against the new crown virus pandemic.
Every Tuesday
In order to fight the new crown epidemic, before Merkel arrived in Washington, many organizations called on the prime minister to abandon the weakening of vaccine patent protection. Biden has publicly expressed his support for the temporary suspension of patent protection in the global fight against the pandemic.
Corona entry restrictions
The federal government’s transatlantic coordinator hopes to reach an agreement on US entry restrictions related to the new coronavirus. “The United States should relax the restrictions on entry into the Schengen area for corona,” said Peter Bayer of the Rhein Post (Thursday). The European Union has decided that travelers from the United States will be able to re-enter the European Union more easily. However, in the opposite direction, strict conditions still apply. Foreign Minister Maas said on Wednesday that he does not expect any progress on this issue during Merkel’s visit to the United States.
Merkel wants to join me after breakfast Harris Meet with representatives of the American business community. The president will then be awarded an honorary doctorate from Johns Hopkins University and give a speech. The university praised Merkel in advance as “a global leader with unparalleled determination and integrity.” The Prime Minister not only leads Germany, “but he is also the beacon of the world during the crisis, from the Great Recession to the Covid-19 pandemic.”
In the evening, the US President and First Lady Jill Biden will hold a dinner for the prime minister. According to the White House, Merkel’s husband Joachim Sauer should also participate. Then Merkel and her delegation wanted to fly back to Germany.
Biden’s predecessor Trump viewed Germany more as a competitor than an ally. The Republican Party has repeatedly criticized Germany’s defense spending, Germany’s trade surplus and the Beixi No. 2 project.
