Merkel Says Europe Can No Longer be Completely Dependent on US and Britain
Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany, says that with Britain’s exit from the European Union and the election of Donald Trump in the United States, Europe can no longer be “completely dependent” on these two countries and must take “its destiny” into its own hands.
Ms. Merkel, on June 7th, during an election campaign in Germany, said that maintaining friendly relations with European allies; Britain and America, is important, however this continent can no longer completely rely on them: “The time when we could be completely dependent on others is coming to an end. I have come to this conclusion over the past few days.”
She added “We Europeans must take our destiny into our own hands in a realistic manner.”
Angela Merkel’s remarks were met with a one-minute ovation from those present during her speech.
Donald Trump, President of the United States, recently returned to Washington from his trip which began in Saudi Arabia and ended with meetings with European leaders and the Group of Seven in Belgium and Italy.
Mr. Trump, after his return, described his trip as “an absolute success” and said he experienced “a historic week.”
However, a number of analysts say that currently relations between Europe and the United States are undergoing transformation. Stefan Bierling, an expert on European-American relations at the University of Regensburg in Germany, told the American newspaper Washington Post: “After the [new US President’s] inauguration ceremony, everyone in Europe hoped that Trump would take a moderate approach and give importance to the position of the Group of Seven and NATO. But exactly the opposite has happened.”
Ms. Merkel’s Sunday remarks come after the leaders of the world’s seven largest economies, during a meeting in Italy, failed to reach complete agreement on the implementation of the Paris climate change agreement. While gaps and disagreements have also emerged among them over trade and the refugee issue.
Mr. Trump in America has emphasized that the Group of Seven meeting was “extraordinarily productive” and he has managed to strengthen America’s relations. In the closing statement of this meeting, the agreement of the leaders of the Group of Seven on two topics “global economy” and “continued sanctions against Russia” was emphasized. The leaders of the world’s seven largest economies added that the parties could not reach a common ground on the issue of “climate change.”
During Mr. Trump’s meeting with the leaders and officials of the European Union, the President of the United States criticized Germany for failing to achieve NATO’s goals regarding military payments and budget. According to reports, the American President also criticized the situation of Germany’s car exports.
However, in Germany, it appears that political rivals do not have much disagreement about Europe’s approach following the United States elections. Martin Schulz, the leader of the Social Democrats, the main rivals of Ms. Merkel’s party in the upcoming elections in that country, told the network “ARD” that Europe must achieve greater unity and solidarity: “Stronger cooperation between European countries, at all levels, will be a response to Donald Trump.”
Germany’s general elections will be held in September.
Source: Radio Farda
