The United States has no “best friend” than Germany
The US Secretary of State met German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin on Wednesday.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke in a press statement with German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
KEYSTONE/AP/Clemens Bilan
The US Secretary of State said Wednesday in Berlin that the United States has no “better friend” than Germany. He met German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
“I think it’s fair to say that the United States doesn’t have a better partner, a better friend in the world than Germany,” Antony Blinken said in a press statement with the Chancellor German. These words may appear to be a departure from the traditional position of the United States, which usually sees the United Kingdom as their closest partner.
“It starts with shared values and interests” as well as “a shared belief that all the challenges we face have an impact on the lives of people,” added Blinken, in whom Germany is the first step to ‘a European tour. “We know and we agree that no country can overcome them alone,” he said.
Notable change
Angela Merkel also insisted on the “very common basis” of the positions of the two countries, in particular vis-à-vis Russia and China, “but also on the question of knowing what alliances we can forge”.
She promised to “continue these exchanges”. This should take place no later than July 15 when the chancellor, who will step down after the legislative elections on September 26, will visit the White House, the first visit since Joe Biden took office in January.
The words of an Antony Blinken, known to be Francophone and Francophile, mark a notable change with the Trump administration which for four years had multiplied the scratches against Berlin both about its trade balance and its participation in the budget of NATO.
Compromise
And even on the thorny issue of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, a bitter bone of contention between Washington and Berlin, the two allies now intend to come closer. Antony Blinken reaffirmed his country’s hostility to this project, but expressed the hope of reaching a compromise with Germany.
This gas pipeline connects Russia to Germany via the Baltic Sea without passing through Ukraine. He is supported by Berlin, but much criticized in Washington and in Eastern Europe. But “we are determined to see if there is anything positive we can take out of a difficult situation that we have inherited,” added Antony Blinken.
“We know the expectations in Washington and it is extremely important that we achieve a result with which Washington can also work,” said Heiko Maas for his part, saying he wanted to achieve “results soon”. Concretely, he notably expressed the hope of progress before the visit of German Chancellor Angela Merkel to Washington.
The aim is to reach an agreement at the latest by August when the US administration will again have to present a report to Congress on the pipeline and the sanctions provided for in this framework.
German media have raised the possibility of a compromise including a compensation mechanism for Ukraine. The main transit country for Russian gas to Europe today, this country fears losing money with the pipeline and also fears consequences for its security.
Found an error? Report now.
–
