News from Berlin – A small discussion about the NSA scandal, nothing more is expected to be discussed in the four hour meeting German Chancellor has scheduled with US President Barack Obama on 1st Mai 2014. It is highly unusual for a work meeting that starts on Thursday evening to finish within 24 hours.

The four hours include discussion time, Lunch, and a press meeting. All on Friday, even though Obama himself is first returning from his Asia tour. In governmental circles, there is talk of a friendly gesture by the Americans. Work meetings often usually only include brief talks and even briefer press statements.

The schedule is filled to the brim and the priority topics are the situation in Ukraine and the future after the precedence of the NSA scandal. Merkel would also like to see a No-Spy Agreement to be formulated and implemented. Although the topics are somewhat controversial, Merkel’s priority is to keep the German-American relationship as close as possible as talks on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) continue.

Berlin Global – News from Berlin