German Chancellor Angela Merkel will meet U.S. President George W. Bush in Washington next week, days after Berlin takes over the presidency of the Group of Eight and the European Union, AP quoted the government as saying today. Merkel will fly to Washington for a one-day visit on Jan. 4, government spokesman Thomas Steg said. The talks likely will address issues such as efforts to stabilize Afghanistan, the Middle East peace process, the situation in Iraq and Iran's nuclear program, he added. Merkel also plans to present to Bush Germany's program for the G-8 presidency and its six-month stint at the helm of the EU, both of which start on Jan. 1. That period includes a planned EU-U.S. summit.
