Obama, who described Merkel ahead of the visit as his "closest international partner", will dine with the chancellor at Berlin's famous Adlon hotel directly next to the landmark Brandenburg Gate on Wednesday evening. But the relationship has again flourished in recent years, with Obama and Merkel also leading an international push for economic sanctions on Russia over its role in the Ukraine crisis. Last week Merkel, Europe's most powerful leader, offered to work with Trump on the basis of their countries' shared democratic values. Merkel and Obama will hold bilateral talks on Thursday before they are joined on Friday by the leaders of France, Britain, Spain and Italy. It is Obama's last trip to Europe as president before he hands over to Trump in January.

Source: The Star November 16, 2016 17:46 UTC