Press. voanews.com
President
Barack Obama brought his message of America’s enduring unity and cooperation to
the heart of Europe Thursday, stressing to Germans and all Europeans that the
United States will continue to engage with the world.
Obama
called on his successor, Donald Trump, to “stand up” to Russia, saying his hope
is that the president-elect takes a “similarly constructive approach” as he
did, “finding areas where we can co-operate with Russia where our values and
interests collide.”
"I
don't expect the president-elect will follow exactly our approach, but my hope
is that he does not simply take a realpolitik approach and suggest if we cut
some deals with Russia, even if it hurts people or violates international norms
or leaves smaller countries vulnerable or leaves long-term problems in regions
like Syria, that we do what's convenient at the time," Obama said during a
news conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin.
Seeking
to reassure Europe
The U.S.
leader chose Germany as the main stop of his final overseas tour as president.
The country is Europe’s top economy and U.S. trading partner, an important
member of NATO and host to thousands of U.S. troops.
Observers
have also suggested Merkel could be emerging as the most prominent liberal
voice in a region where nationalist movements are gaining strength.
“There
will be no return to a world before globalization,” Obama and Merkel wrote in a
joint editorial published in the German business weekly WirtschaftsWoche before
the U.S. leader’s arrival.
Obama’s
message was meant to reassure European leaders who are nervous about what some
perceive as America’s turn toward isolationism as reflected in remarks made by
President-elect Donald Trump during his campaign.
Trump
called into question the relevance of NATO, praised Britain’s decision to quit
the European Union, and criticized Merkel’s policy of admitting hundreds of
thousands of migrants, most of them Muslims, into Europe. During his campaign,
Trump referred to Merkel as “a great world leader,” but said her decisions on
immigration issues were “tragic” and a “catastrophe.”
Analysts
say Merkel’s calls for migrant quotas among EU nations have fueled nationalist
movements across Europe, including Germany, and were a key factor in British
voters’ June decision to leave the European Union.
Far-right
populist movements have also made gains in Germany following the migrant
crisis, and Merkel’s party has suffered losses, including in her home state.
She is
now weighing whether to run for a fourth term as chancellor. During her news
conference with President Obama, she said that decision would not be announced
on Thursday. On Friday, the outgoing U.S. president will meet with leaders of
Britain, France, Italy and Spain before heading to Peru for the Asia Pacific
Economic Cooperation summit.
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