Obama defends globalisation on final visit to GermanyNovember 17, 2016 - 12:29 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - US President Barack Obama has made a strong defence of globalisation as he arrived in Germany on his final visit to Europe before leaving office, BBC News reports. In a joint article, Obama and German Chancellor Angela Merkel said that with the global economy developing faster than ever, co-operation was vital. Obama arrived in Germany from Athens where he had warned of threats to modern democracy. He is seeking to calm unease following the election of Donald Trump. In the article in the business magazine, Wirtschaftswoche (in German), he and Merkel made a strong case for international trade in contrast to Trump's more protectionist stance. "There will be no return to a world before globalisation," they wrote. "We owe it to our companies and our citizens, indeed to the entire world community, to broaden and deepen our co-operation." The two leaders voiced support for the proposed Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) between the US and the EU. By contrast, Trump is a fierce critic of global free trade agreements and welcomed the UK's decision in June to leave the EU. In Athens, Obama acknowledged that globalisation had created a "sense of injustice" and a "course correction" was needed to address growing inequality. "When we see people, global elites, wealthy corporations seemingly living by a different set of rules, avoiding taxes, manipulating loopholes... this feeds a profound sense of injustice," he told Greek leaders. Obama's visit to Greece was marked by street protests by leftist groups which denounced US "imperialism". Police used tear gas against about 2,500 demonstrators who had tried to reach the city centre on Tuesday. The US president will stay in Germany until Friday and then head to Peru. Related links: Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Ameriabank's Trade Finance portfolio enriched with four prestigious awards from EBRD and IFC Ameriabank received the awards from international financial institutions in recognition of its trade finance operations. Armenian Economy Minister to make trip to UAE May 20-22 A delegation led by Minister of Economy Gevorg Papoyan will travel to the UAE capital of Abu Dhabi on May 20-22 Armenia Security Council chief traveling to Qatar Secretary of the Security Council of Armenia Armen Grigoryan will travel on a working visit to Qatar. Pillars installed in Armenian border village of Kirants In the Armenian village of Kirants, three border markers have been installed, and border guards stand next to them. |