Merkel is scheduled to arrive in Washington for a two day visit which will include meetings with both US President Barack Obama and Democratic House speaker Nancy Pelosi.

The agenda of the talks is expected to be dominated by the recent developments in Iran. German government sources said there was close correlation with the US position relating to Iran's post-election protests.

Both Berlin and Washington have called upon Tehran to stop using violence against protestors. The German government has demanded a recount of the votes in the disputed elections that saw hard-liner Mahmoud Ahmadinejad return to power.

Western countries have in turn been strongly criticized by Iran for meddling in internal affairs.

Merkel hopes sway US on climate change

Climate change will be another issue high on the talk's agenda. Merkel hopes to win greater US commitment on the issue ahead of the UN climate conference in Copenhagen later this year where the United Nations will try to replace the Kyoto protocol with a new international agreement.

Berlin's role in the NATO mission to Afghanistan will be yet another item. The US would like to see more German troops deployed while Berlin has ruled out significantly increasing troop strength.

Merkel and Obama are also expected to discuss the global economic recession, and how the current measures to tackle the crisis can translate into a sustainable coordinated policy of international cooperation.

Upon her arrival in Washington, the chancellor is scheduled to receive the Eric Warburg prize for fostering good relations between Germany and the United States.

ai/dpa/AFP
Editor: Jennifer Abramsohn