Joe Biden and Angela Merkel Sign Washington Declaration

During the meeting between the President of the United States and the Federal Chancellor of Germany, documents were signed defining new formats of cooperation between the two countries. US President Joe Biden and German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Thursday, July 15, following a meeting in Washington, signed the "Washington Declaration". It is "a document that reaffirms our commitment to the strong democratic principles that underpin both of our countries, and how we will apply them to meet the most significant challenges of today and tomorrow," Biden told a White House news conference. "Both of our countries understand the need to prove that democracies can meet the needs of our people in the second quarter of the 21st century. We will defend democratic principles and universal rights when we see China or any other country working to undermine free and open societies". The document speaks of the creation of a "German-American Forum of the Future" and an "economic dialogue". The declaration notes that the United States and Germany consider NATO to be the main element of ensuring European security and emphasize their adherence to the principle of joint defense. In this regard, at a press conference, Joe Biden stressed that the United States and Germany will continue to "act as a united front to protect the allies on the eastern flank of NATO against Russian aggression." A document on partnership in the field of energy and climate protection was also signed at the meeting. It broadly underlines the commitment to fighting climate change and talks about future cooperation to support energy security and the development of new energy technologies. Biden Highlights Merkel's Role In Developing Transatlantic Relations "It was a friendly exchange of views," Angela Merkel said. "We are bound by a close partnership. I would like it to remain even after I leave the post of Federal Chancellor." According to her, the new formats of cooperation provide a good basis for this. The visit to Washington was Merkel's last trip to the United States as Federal Chancellor. At the same time, she became the first head of government of a European state to be invited to the White House after the election of a new president of the United States. Joe Biden highly appreciated the merits of the head of the German government in the development of transatlantic relations. According to him, Angela Merkel took an active part in building the foundation of modern relations between Germany and the United States, which will develop successfully in the future.