Hanover (Germany) (AFP) – US President Barack Obama and German Chancellor Angela Merkel made Sunday their weight behind to defend the proposed free trade agreement EU-US, despite the growing opposition it arouses both sides of the Atlantic.
on the first day of a visit to Germany, Europe’s largest economy, Obama hoped that negotiations on the treaty known by its acronym TTIP or Tafta currently working, are buckled by the end of the year, before he left the White House in January 2017.
“I do not expect that we will be able to finish the ratification of an agreement by the end of the year, but I expect we finished the negotiations of the agreement, “he told reporters Obama after talks with Merkel.
it two-day visit to Hanover in northern Germany, after a trip to Saudi Arabia and the UK, where he warned against a country’s exit from the EU.
“If we do not complete the negotiations this year, with political transitions to come to the United States and Europe, it could mean that this agreement will not be completed for some time” insisted the US president at the opening ceremony of the industrial fair in Hanover, the United States is this year’s guest country
-. ‘Buy American’ –
Chancellor Merkel echoed by stating that he had “used the opportunity” of this “tight launch window”. “This will not stand fast,” she said, before receiving Obama in the evening for a formal dinner.
The concern of public opinion with regard to such a free trade agreement yet grows on both sides of the Atlantic. Tens of thousands have yet demonstrated against the project Saturday in the streets of Hanover.
“The TTIP will not lower standards. This will even meet the” promised Barack Obama. “As in other markets such as China start to develop (…) we must ensure that our economy continues to be competitive,” said he also stressed.
Merkel echoed this in saying the TTIP “contribute greatly to grow” the European economy.
But even within the German coalition government, though considered one of the leading advocates of the project in Europe, impatience grows.
Without concessions from Washington, the agreement “will fail,” warned Sunday German Economy Minister Sigmar Gabriel, now also in Hanover. Mr. Gabriel, the Social Democratic and number two in the government, refused to endorse the state in a text that summarizes for the moment the motto: “Buy American”
“Buy German. , it is also “slipped Angela Merkel echoed. But she promised despite differences “to be involved to make Europe into a strong momentum of negotiations” of the agreement. A message that is not shared by all its partners in the EU.
according to the German weekly Der Spiegel, French President Francois Hollande refuses to address the issue of TTIP Monday afternoon when a scheduled meeting with Angela Merkel, Barack Obama and British and Italian leaders. reason given: the subject would be too unpopular in France
– ‘Good side of history’ –
The choice of Barack Obama to visit Germany for the fifth time. since taking office, reflecting its emphasis to Angela Merkel in Europe.
He covered the Chancellor praises to reporters Sunday in Hannover.
“You were a trusted partner throughout my presidency, longer than any other leader in the world, and I respect your judgment,” said the US president to the chancellor at his side.
also welcomed the generous policy of opening Merkel against migrants since the summer of 2015, despite criticism that it raises cap in Germany and Europe.
in doing so, Merkel is “on the right side of history,” said Obama, calling himself “proud of the German people”.
despite these compliments, differences remain. The US president has rejected any idea of protection zones in Syria for civilians, while Merkel mentioned this option for several weeks at the persistence of the bombing.
Mr. Obama has held that such an option was not feasible “unless you want to take control of much of this country.”
The president, however, must announce Monday in a speech in Hanover that he authorized the deployment to Syria of up to 150 additional US military, according to a senior official speaking on condition of anonymity.
Mr. Obama on Sunday called on “all countries of NATO” to keep their military expenditure commitments to ensure common security, while Berlin has in the past been accused of not doing enough and rely too much on Washington.
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