US President George W. Bush is due to meet with German
Chancellor Angela Merkel at the White House on May 3, the White
House said in a statement on Wednesday.
"Under Chancellor Merkel's leadership, Germany has worked
closely with the United States to strengthen a transatlantic
partnership committed to advancing freedom and prosperity around
the world.
"The two leaders look forward to continuing their discussions on
global challenges, including preventing Iran from acquiring the
capability to make nuclear weapons, promoting peace and democratic
reform in the Middle East, securing Afghanistan's reconstruction,
advancing democracy in Eastern Europe and Africa, strengthening
NATO, as well as promoting free trade and energy security," the
statement said.
During her visit, Merkel is also expected to attend the
100th-anniversary celebrations for the American Jewish Committee in
New York.
Germany is a traditional ally of the United States in Europe.
But there was tension between Bush and Merkel's predecessor Gerhard
Schroeder, who vehemently opposed the US-led war in Iraq.
Merkel visited the White House in January two months after she
took office. Merkel signaled at the time the need for warmer
relations with the United States.
(Xinhua News Agency April 13, 2006)
