US, EU to stick together

US President Barack Obama and European leaders yesterday pledged to maintain Nato cooperation, and vowed to keep up sanctions against Russia, in their first meeting since the shock election of Donald Trump sparked fears of drastic policy shifts.

During a fractious presidential campaign, Trump had appeared to call into question a near 70-year-old security shield for US allies under Nato, and vowed to withdraw from hard-fought deals on the climate and Iran's nuclear programme.

The US president-elect's friendly disposition towards Russian President Vladimir Putin has also raised questions over his attitude toward Moscow's backing for President Bashar al-Assad in the Syrian war as well as Russia's role in the conflict in eastern Ukraine.

In the talks in Berlin during which jittery European partners sought reassurances from Obama, the six parties "agreed on the necessity of working collectively to move the transatlantic agenda forward", according to a statement from the White House.

The leaders agreed on the need to work together to stabilise the Middle East and North Africa, as well as securing diplomatic resolutions for the conflicts in Syria and eastern Ukraine.

But Obama also stressed the importance of a united Europe, and urged the bloc not to take for granted the transatlantic relationship that has been built up over decades.

The meeting between Obama and the leaders of Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Spain is the first of its format since Trump's election.

Obama's choice of Berlin as the stop for his European farewell tour has been interpreted by some observers as the passing of baton of the defence of liberal democracy to Merkel.

Giving a ringing endorsement for Merkel before she announces if she will run for a fourth term in next year's elections, Obama acknowledged that she would have heavy international burdens to shoulder.

"I wish I could be there to lighten her load somewhat. But she's tough," said Obama, in his sixth official visit to Germany, before heading off to Lima for a summit of Asia-Pacific leaders.

A day after Obama's praise for Merkel, her party announced a surprise press conference tomorrow in what is widely believed to be the occasion for the German leader to declare for a fourth term.