NEW YORK, Nov 15 (AFP) - German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer said Monday he expected continuity in sometimes rocky transatlantic relations after the departure of US Secretary of State Colin.
"Of course the cooperation with Colin Powell was very friendly and our relationship was excellent," Fischer, on a visit to New York, told reporters.
"Relations between democratically elected politicians, and among foreign ministers, are marked by professionalism on the one hand but I think in the German-American relationship there is also very strong emotional bond and I think that will remain."
Fischer, who reportedly spoke with Powell at least once a week by telephone and served Powell's favorite German beer Flensburger whenever the US official visited Berlin, noted that Powell came to know and appreciate Germany during his time as a GI stationed in the country.
Fischer said Berlin and Washington, which fell out dramatically over the Iraq war, were united by "common interests and common threats" including the war on terrorism, reform in the Middle East, the stabilization of Iraq, Iran's nuclear program and the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.
After talks earlier with the US ambassador to the United Nations, John Danforth, Fischer declined to comment in detail on a deal with Iran secured by Britain, France and Germany to suspend the Islamic republic's nuclear uranium drive. He said Berlin was still reviewing the agreement.
The minister, who leaves New York Monday for Guatemala, said he spoke with Danforth about the crisis in the Darfur region of Sudan and other issues facing the United States.
Germany has been campaigning to win a veto-wielding permanent seat on the Security Council as part of an upcoming reform of the body.
11/15/2004 18:26 GMT - AFP