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PM meets Chancellor Merkel in Berlin

Prime Minister David Cameron has held talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin.

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

In his first visit to Germany as PM, Mr Cameron visited the Chancellery, where the two leaders discussed EU cooperation and the ongoing economic situation in Europe.

Speaking at a joint press conference after their meeting, the Prime Minister said he wanted a “strong and positive partnership” with Germany.

He added that although the UK would not be joining the euro, it was in the UK’s interests to have a strong eurozone.

The PM said:

I want Britain to be a positive player in Europe. I want us to work together to achieve the economic stability, the growth and action on European deficits that we know is very much in the interest of all our countries and in the interests of a strong, stable economy which we very clearly need. Britain is not a member of the euro, nor are we likely to become a member, but we want a strong and stable eurozone. That is where 50 per cent of our trade goes and it’s our interest that that takes place.

The two leaders also discussed Afghanistan and the prospect of further sanctions against Iran.

Yesterday, the Prime Minister also held talks with French President Nicolas Sarkozy in Paris and met Northern Ireland’s First Minister and Deputy First Minister at Stormont.

Speeches and transcripts: Press conference with Chancellor Merkel

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Published 21 May 2010