Harris hosts Merkel for breakfast before talks with Biden

Vice President Harris welcomed German Chancellor Angela Merkel for a breakfast meeting Thursday at the Naval Observatory to discuss their nations’ commitment to democracy.

The meeting marked the first time Harris has hosted a foreign leader at the vice president’s residence since taking office. When Merkel arrived, Harris noted that was is the first time the chancellor had been hosted at the official residence of the vice president.

“We are pleased to welcome you Madam Chancellor, and I know we are the fourth administration that you have worked with throughout your extraordinary career. I want to thank you for your years of leadership,” Harris said, greeting Merkel at the front door of the residency.

“I’m very honored to see you and I look forward to our conversation, and it goes without saying that the relationship between our two countries is one founded on many shared values, including a commitment to democracy around the world. So, welcome, welcome,” the vice president added.

Chancellor Angela Merkel arrives at the Vice President’s residency to have breakfast with ⁦@VP⁩ pic.twitter.com/nbnfxpjx3k

— AlexGangitano (@AlexGangitano) July 15, 2021

Merkel said to Harris that she was delighted to be visiting with the first female vice president.

“I can only say that I’m delighted too for this opportunity here to meet the first madam vice president of the United States of America, and I think that we can indeed cooperate very well in order to boost values and also continue to build on them,” Merkel said, through a translator.

“Please, let’s have breakfast, please,” Harris responded, welcoming her into the residency.

The vice president, during the breakfast meeting, is expected to discuss how democracies around the world are in peril, and that the U.S. and Germany must work to live up to their shared values.

The vice president is also expected to discuss the critical role of Germany and the Biden administration to the transatlantic partnership, stressing the countries’ close friendship. Additionally, the two will discuss the global health and climate crisis, as well as gender inequality, the uncertain geopolitical environment, Russia and China.

Harris will also acknowledge the legacy of the German chancellor, who is retiring after nearly 16 years in office.

President Biden will host Merkel this afternoon at the White House and participate in a bilateral meeting to discuss climate change, the COVID-19 pandemic, security and regional challenges, and shoring up democracy around the world, among other topics.

Biden and Merkel will participate in a joint press conference at 4:15 p.m. Thursday.