Merkel and Biden: "Stronger International Cooperation Needed to Address COVID-19 and Climate Change"

German Chancellor Angela Merkel (left) and U.S. President Joe Biden [Image source= EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Byung-hee] German Chancellor Angela Merkel and U.S. President Joe Biden agreed during their first phone call that more international cooperation is needed to respond to COVID-19 and climate change, Deutsche Welle reported on the 25th (local time).

According to a statement released by Steffen Seibert, spokesperson for the German Chancellor's Office, Chancellor Merkel expressed her welcome for the U.S. rejoining the climate agreement and returning to the World Health Organization (WHO).

Chancellor Merkel conveyed to President Biden her belief that COVID-19 and climate change are issues that can only be resolved through international cooperation, and President Biden agreed. Furthermore, the two leaders agreed that stronger international cooperation is necessary to tackle COVID-19. Merkel also expressed that Germany is ready to cooperate and take responsibility in international collaboration.

The two leaders also exchanged views on diplomatic issues such as Afghanistan and Iran, and discussed global trade. Chancellor Merkel also conveyed her intention to invite President Biden once COVID-19 subsides and free movement becomes possible.

Prior to Biden’s inauguration, Chancellor Merkel stated at a press conference that with President Trump stepping down and President Biden taking office, Germany and the U.S. would be able to share more and cooperate more closely.

Merkel was the third European leader to speak with Biden. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson was the first European leader to speak with President Biden on the 23rd, followed by French President Emmanuel Macron on the 24th.

Deutsche Welle reported that regarding Merkel being the third European leader to speak with Biden, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas expressed an opinion that this could be a bad sign for U.S.-Germany relations.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.