WASHINGTON
American President Barack Obama invited German Chancellor Angela Merkel to the US “at a mutually agreeable time in the coming months” Wednesday.
During their call, “The leaders noted the full agenda for 2014, including the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (T-TIP) negotiations and NATO Summit, and looked forward to working closely together to advance our shared interests,” said the White House.
Relations between Washington and Berlin hit a low late last year following revelations that the National Security Agency had tapped the cellphone of Merkel.
The American President also wished Merkel a “speedy recovery” following a recent skiing accident in which she fractured her pelvis.
Obama meets with panel, advisors regarding intelligence review
US President Barack Obama met Wednesday with an independent executive panel and senior advisors to further discuss revisions to America’s intelligence gathering policies.
“This was a useful opportunity for the President to hear the group’s views directly as we begin to finalize our internal review,” said National Security Council Spokesperson Caitlin Hayden of the President’s meeting with the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board’s (PCLOB).
The American President thanked the PCLOB members for their work, “and made clear that it will be factored into the Administration’s thinking as we move forward,” according to Hayden.
In addition to his meeting with the PCLOB, Obama also met with key members of his administration including NSA chief Keith Alexander, Attorney General Eric Holder, Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, and Central Intelligence Agency Director John Brennan.
“This was an important chance for the President to hear directly from his team as he begins to make final decisions about how we move forward with key intelligence collection programs,” remarked Hayden.
Obama is expected to announce changes to America’s spy programs some time next week.
englishnews@aa.com.tr
