Visiting U.S. President Barack Obama on Friday said that Germany is "a close friend and critical partner" of the United States and both sides will continue their cooperation on a series of international issues, including the Middle East, Iran and climate change, Xinhua reported.
Speaking at a joint press conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Dresden, Obama dismissed widespread speculations in the German media about the allegedly lukewarm personal relations between himself and Merkel, stressing that his relatively short stay in Germany is mainly due to a busy schedule.
Speaking alongside with Obama, Merkel pledged continuing German cooperation with the United States on issues such as the Middle East peace and Iran.