By Anadolu staff
BERLIN (AA) - German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Monday called for a new approach in Europe's relations with the US, emphasizing that this approach should be free from “false nostalgia” and firmly grounded in Europe's interests.
Addressing the annual Ambassadors Conference at the German Foreign Ministry, Merz said Europeans can no longer expect the US to bear the main burden for security in Europe. Instead, they must strengthen the European pillar of NATO in the coming years.
“We must acknowledge one fact. Our relationship with the US is changing. The US is also reassessing its interests,” Merz told ambassadors serving at German missions worldwide. “This has not only been happening in the last few days. And we, here in Europe, also need to adjust our interests, without false nostalgia,” he added.
The conservative leader emphasized that the US remains Europe's most important partner, and Europeans will continue to seek cooperation and close coordination with the Americans. However, he also noted that recent developments with the Donald Trump administration have shown that Europeans must strengthen their unity and play a more active role in global politics.
“It is becoming clear that this partnership will no longer be taken for granted. It will be more issue- and interest-driven,” Merz stressed.
“This means that our position vis-a-vis the US will depend on our strength as Europeans. This is new, and it also means that we must forge new partnerships around the world, and expand and strengthen existing partnerships, more and more proactively than we have done so far,” he said.