WASHINGTON—The official White House visit of German Chancellor Angela Merkel kicked off in earnest Tuesday, with President Barack Obama hailing their close relationship and personal ties.
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US President Barack Obama (R) escorts German Chancellor Angela Merkel to review a guard of honor during an official arrival ceremony at the White House.
President Obama, speaking at an official arrival ceremony on the south lawn of the White House, cited the relationship between both countries as an example of how former enemies can become friends.
"As people around the world imagine a different future, the story of Germany and our alliance in the 20th century shows what's possible in the 21st," Mr. Obama said. "Wars can end, adversaries can become allies, walls can come down; at long last nations can be whole and can be free."
The visit is expected to be dominated by an array of global concerns, from Europe's debt crisis to conflicts in Afghanistan and Libya.
Ms. Merkel, the first leader of a European country to come to the U.S. for an official visit during Mr. Obama's presidency, hailed relations between both nations, saying "Europe and Germany have no better partner than America,"
Mr. Obama said both he and Ms. Merkel are proof of their countries' spirit of freedom. "It's obvious neither of us looks exactly like the leaders that preceded us," Mr. Obama said to applause. Mr. Obama is the first African-American president of the U.S. and Ms. Merkel is the first female chancellor of Germany.
President Obama will honor Ms. Merkel with the U.S. Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor. The two will also meet in the Oval Office, host a news conference and sit down for an official dinner. Ms. Merkel will also meet congressional leaders, Vice President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
Ms. Merkel arrived on the South Lawn of the White House shortly before 9:30 a.m. Receiving her were President Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, several hundred people, a military band and honor guard. Many guests of the German embassy attended, as well as a host of Obama administration officials including Secretary of State Clinton and Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner. Germany's ministers for finance, economics and foreign policy also attended the ceremony.
After Ms. Merkel arrival Monday evening the two leaders had a private dinner at a Georgetown restaurant and discussed a range of issues, particularly Europe's debt crisis and the future leadership of the International Monetary Fund, said an official familiar with their conversation.
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