US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Wednesday thanked German Chancellor Angela Merkel for “extraordinary leadership”, saying “the United States does not have a better partner, a better friend than Germany.”
Stressing the need for multilateral cooperation and partnership in dealing with global challenges, from pandemics, to climate change to new technologies, Secretary Blinken praised Germany’s role as an example on several fronts.
“I think we are convinced that we have a responsibility, especially at this time, to demonstrate that democracy is the system that works to improve the lives of people around the world,” Blinken said.
He focused on the work done by Germany on the crisis in Libya, as co-organizer of Wednesday’s multilateral conference with the UN, to make progress towards creating conditions for safe elections and clearing the country of foreign fighters.
“Today’s conference was a very good example of the work that Germany has done on Libya and we hope that from this moment on we will begin to see a Libya on the path to security, freedom and independence, supported by the international community.
The US Secretary of State went on to say that there were other topics of common interest such as China and Russia, but added that “for today, Madam Chancellor, let me say Thank you! “I also want to tell you that President Biden is looking forward to meeting with you in Washington next month.”
The meeting with Chancellor Merkel followed talks between Mr Blinken and German counterpart Heiko Maas.
Mr Blinken’s visit to Germany highlighted the size and strength of US-German relations, but there appear to be no signs of progress on the Russian pipeline topic Nord Stream 2. Neither Mr Blinken nor Foreign Minister Mass provided details on timelines for a possible solution.
Mr Blinken is in Germany on his second visit to Europe in seven days, after accompanying President Biden to his meeting with European allies in Britain and Belgium.
After Germany, Mr. Blinken will visit France and Italy as part of his first tour in these three countries in the role of US chief diplomat./ VOA
