International

Bush, Merkel to Meet at Texas Ranch

Published November 9, 2007 at 7:29 AM PST

This story was published more than 17 years ago.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel made a surprise visit to Afghanistan to meet with some of the 3,000 German soldiers deployed in northern Afghanistan as part of NATO forces. She and President Bush are expected to discuss Afghanistan when they meet Friday.

President Bush is scheduled to welcome German Chancellor Angela Merkel to his ranch in Crawford, Texas, on Friday.

It is the second time this week the president has hosted a European ally. France's President Nicholas Sarkozy visited Washington on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Bush's meeting with Merkel will include some of the same topics discussed during the meeting with Sarkozy. Bush and the chancellor will discuss Iran, with the administration urging new, tougher sanctions against the Iranians if they do not give up their nuclear program. Germany has been sympathetic, but Merkel is not completely sold on the idea.

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The leaders will also talk about NATO's fight against the Taliban in Afghanistan, as well as efforts to tackle greenhouse gases and curb global warming.

From NPR reports and The Associated Press