BERLIN, Jan. 3 (UPI) -- German Chancellor Angela Merkel said she wants to see "closer economic cooperation" between the European Union and the United States a day before her trip to Washington.
"We want to talk about ever-closer economic cooperation. Our economic systems are based on the same values," she told the Wednesday edition of the Financial Times newspaper. "We should be looking for ways to keep developing these together at a transatlantic level.
Merkel said market regulations and intellectual property law were up for review, saying that there were "clear advantages" for both sides in coming closer together.
In the White House on Jan. 4, Merkel will be a guest with some clout, as Germany since the beginning of the year heads the EU and the Group of Eight presidencies.
In her working meetings with U.S. President George W. Bush, she is also expected to formulate her ideas for a new Middle East peace initiative.
Stability missions in Afghanistan and a possible extension of Germany's training programs for Iraqi police and military will also be on the agenda.
