希拉里会见德国外长(2/2)

Mr. Westerwelle noted the need for the European Union to pass tough new sanctions against Iran for continuing to pursue nuclear weapons.

"A nuclear Iran," he said,

"is not acceptable -- not for the region, not for the world."

With regard to Syria, where President Bashar Assad's forces have massacred some 5,000 people,

both leaders agreed that the violence must be stopped.

The United States and Germany support the efforts of the Arab League to solve the crisis.

Furthermore, it is incumbent on the United Nations Security Council to clearly condemn the violence by the Syrian regime.

On matters closer to Europe's shores,

Secretary Clinton thanked Germany for its leadership role in resolving the debt crisis facing the European Union.

The United States supports Germany as it leads the way for all of the Eurozone countries to regain their economic footing and to implement measures that will restore sustainable and balanced growth.

The United States and Germany will remain strong allies,

committed to upholding their NATO commitments and their transatlantic cooperation on economic and other issues.