EU to assume more responsibility amid Trump criticism

BERLIN (AA) - EU will have to assume more responsibility and address problems alone amid a shift in U.S. foreign policy under President Donald Trump, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Friday.

Speaking at a press conference on Friday after the informal meeting of EU heads of states and governments in Malta, Merkel said that common interests would determine the future of cooperation between Europe and the U.S.

“On a number of issues, we are bounded by common interests, like fight against international terrorism... But on a number of other tasks, we might have to find solutions alone,” Merkel told.

“We will understand, step-by-step, in which areas we have common interests, and in which areas we have less in common, compared with the previous U.S. administrations,” she added.

Merkel underlined that the EU may have to assume more responsibility in areas such as supporting development in Africa, promoting security in Europe and strengthening the defense capabilities of European allies.

Trump has openly criticized last month European members of NATO for not sharing the burden on defense spending and called on them to assume more responsibility for international security.

His support for the UK’s decision to leave the EU, and his estimate that more members to leave the bloc which he described as “a vehicle for Germany,” had raised tensions between Washington and major European capitals.

Merkel said that EU member states should maintain their unity, in response to multiple challenges faced by the bloc.

"Europe holds its fate in its own hands,” she added.