Merkel Meets With Obama, Then Talks to Congress

President Barack Obama thanked German Chancellor Angela Merkel Monday for her country's "sacrifice" in keeping forces in Afghanistan, noting she was being honored as the first German leader to address a joint session of Congress.

Merkel, who met Obama shortly before her appearance on Capitol Hill, said she wanted to use the Oval Office session and her speech to Congress to express gratitude for American support "throughout the process leading up to German reunification."

Monday marks 20 years since the Berlin Wall was pulled down, leading to the reunification of Germany. The German capital had been divided among the victorious European allies at the end of World War II and quickly became a symbol of the Cold War.

Merkel also was making the case in a skeptical Congress on the need for a global deal on climate change. She found a ready audience, however, in Obama, who has made combating warming a top priority.

"The United States, Germany and countries around the world, I think, are all beginning to recognize why it is so important that we work in common in order to stem the potential catastrophe that can result if we continue to see global warming continue unabated," Obama said.

The last time a German leader addressed a single house of Congress was a speech by Chancellor Konrad Adenauer in 1957.

The theme of solidarity that Obama referenced during a brief photo session before their meeting was about Germany's commitment to Afghanistan, a delicate issue for Merkel. The United States has urged European countries to step up efforts in NATO's operations, but the war is unpopular in Germany.

Merkel is speaking a week after she was sworn in for a second term. Her formation of a new center-right coalition has created some expectations in Washington that the coalition would make it easier for Merkel to support the United States on Afghanistan and other foreign policy issues, including reining in Iran's nuclear program.