Merkel to strengthen US ties

Merkel to strengthen US ties

BERLIN – Under Angela Merkel, who is to be voted in as chancellor tomorrow, Germany will seek to repair ties with the United States while maintaining the German-French axis at the heart of the European Union.

Merkel’s coalition government states in its manifesto that transatlantic relations, though strained over the Iraq war, and European integration remain the “two pillars” of German foreign policy. Yet Germany’s pairing with France, often described as the motor of the 25-nation bloc, faces a severe test of leadership following the rejection of the bloc’s proposed constitution by French and Dutch voters this year.Merkel has signalled the importance she attaches to the relationship by scheduling a lunch with French President Jacques Chirac on Wednesday, just a day after she is to be elected leader.But her second port of call that day is more of a surprise – she will go to Brussels to meet officials from the European Commission.Merkel, who grew up in the former communist East Germany, has said she wants to listen to the smaller EU nations, including some of the former Eastern bloc countries which she feels have been largely ignored since they joined.The immediate challenge however is striking a long-awaited deal on the EU budget, a thorny subject due to be tackled when Merkel makes her bow on the European summit stage in Brussels in mid-December.Outgoing Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder campaigned for re-election in 2002 on his opposition to a US-led invasion of Iraq, a stance that enraged US President George W Bush.- Nampa-AFPYet Germany’s pairing with France, often described as the motor of the 25-nation bloc, faces a severe test of leadership following the rejection of the bloc’s proposed constitution by French and Dutch voters this year.Merkel has signalled the importance she attaches to the relationship by scheduling a lunch with French President Jacques Chirac on Wednesday, just a day after she is to be elected leader.But her second port of call that day is more of a surprise – she will go to Brussels to meet officials from the European Commission.Merkel, who grew up in the former communist East Germany, has said she wants to listen to the smaller EU nations, including some of the former Eastern bloc countries which she feels have been largely ignored since they joined.The immediate challenge however is striking a long-awaited deal on the EU budget, a thorny subject due to be tackled when Merkel makes her bow on the European summit stage in Brussels in mid-December.Outgoing Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder campaigned for re-election in 2002 on his opposition to a US-led invasion of Iraq, a stance that enraged US President George W Bush.- Nampa-AFP

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