German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Monday that while Washington and Berlin disagreed about the methods used by the US National Security Agency, the two sides needed to cooperate to combat terrorist threats.
"On the NSA issue, I think there are still different assessments on individual issues there," Merkel -- whose mobile phone was allegedly tapped by the NSA -- told a joint press conference with US President Barack Obama.
But if we look at the sheer dimension of the terrorist threat, we're more than aware of the fact that we need to work together very closely."
Revelations last year about US spying and surveillance -- including claims that the National Security Agency tapped Merkel's cellphone -- strained ties between Washington and Berlin, and put the German leader under intense political pressure at home.
Nevertheless, Germany and the United States have continued to cooperate broadly on foreign policy and on intelligence matters, and Merkel vowed that that will not change.
"The alliance between the United States and Europe will continue to stand, will continue to be solid, even though on certain issues we may not always agree," she told reporters at the White House.
"But this partnership, be it on Ukraine and Russia, be it on combatting terrorism on the international scene, be it on other issues, is a partnership that has stood the test of time," she said.
"This transatlantic partnership, for Germany and Europe, is indispensable. And this will remain so," Merkel said.
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