German Chancellor Angela Merkel has headed to the United States as part of her final official visit before leaving office, where she is expected to meet with President Joe Biden on Thursday.
Merkel and Biden will discuss several issues including strengthening relations between Germany and the United States, the Coronavirus epidemic, China as well as the Russian-German gas pipeline project known as Nord Stream 2. The US government has long opposed the construction of the project, saying it will undermine energy security in Europe.
German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas, who is already in the United States, told reporters that the two countries had agreed on several issues regarding the project. But she said it was still unclear whether the existing differences would be resolved permanently during Merkel's visit.
Although Chancellor Merkel has visited the United States more than 20 times in her 16-year tenure, this is the first visit to the White House in three years. He will also be the first European leader to visit the United States since Biden came to power.
A new beginning
Merkel's visit marks a new beginning in relations between the two countries following tensions with the Donald Trump administration. Cathryn Clüver Ashbrook, Executive Director of the German Council on Foreign Relations says the relationship between Germany and the United States is very long-lasting.
'' Let's not forget that Angela Merkel is one of America's best friends. Just because he addressed both chambers of the US Congress, that he was awarded the Medal of Independence and was awarded the Honorary Doctorate Doctorate from Harvard University a few years ago. So I think in the White House with the current president, he is seen as a strong shield of modern relations between European nations and the United States, '' explained Ashbrook.
According to US government circles, Merkel and Biden will also address the threat of climate change and promote economic prosperity and global security. Merkel will also meet with US Vice President Kamala Harris, other high-ranking officials, and US businessmen.
After working with Merkel for 16 years, many US officials and elsewhere in the world do not know what action Germany will take after the September 26 chancellor's election. In-office, Merkel has worked with four US presidents.
Protesters' protests
Ahead of Merkel's visit on Wednesday, several activists marched in New York to protest Germany's move not to support a plan to revoke the COVID-19 vaccine, while the United States supports it. Doctors Without Borders have urged Merkel to abandon her plan.
Meanwhile, the German Press Association, DJV, has urged Merkel to persuade Biden to drop charges against the founder of Wikileaks's confidential website, Julian Assange.
Last week about 120 politicians, artists, and journalists ran a campaign and called on Markel to discuss the move to release Assange during his US tour. The DVJ has urged Merkel and Biden not to ignore the activists' voices, as the leaders have not yet commented on the matter.
