Obama labels U.S.-German ties with "extraordinary pillar" of Transatlantic relationship

U.S. President Barack Obama said Tuesday that the U.S.-German relationship is "an extraordinary pillar of the Transatlantic relationship," adding that Berlin's support is very important for Washington to address international challenges.

Shortly before his meeting with visiting German Chancellor Angela Merkel, President Obama congratulated Merkel on her recent re-election and success forming a new government, adding that Merkel has been a leader on climate change, economic issues and nuclear nonproliferation.

"Obviously, the alliance between the United States and Germany has been an extraordinary pillar of the Transatlantic relationship," said the president, adding that the United States appreciates Berlin's support on "a whole host of international issues."

Merkel, who is here to mark the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, said she wanted to use this visit to express gratitude to the American people for their support "throughout the process leading up to German reunification."

After meeting with Obama, Merkel will make a speech at a joint meeting of U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. She will be the first German leader to address U.S. Congress since Konrad Adenauer in 1957.

Germany is a strong and reliable supporter to the U.S.-led operations in Afghanistan, providing some 3,500 military personnel to the NATO ISAF mission, making it the third-largest troop contributor after the U.S. and Britain, according to information offered by U.S. State Department.

Germany stands at the center of European affairs and is a key partner in U.S. relations with Europeans in NATO and the European Union. And as two of the world's leading trading nations, the United States and Germany share a common, deep-seated commitment to an open and expanding world economy.

Source: Xinhua