US request for NATO spending boost ′a fair demand

The new US defense secretary appeared wearing a German flag on his lapel, heaping praise on Berlin's troops. It was the second meeting by a German minister with the new US administration.

German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen met US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis at the Pentagon on Friday, reaffirming their alliance.

She said following the meeting that Mattis had expressed a clear and deep commitment to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and that it was "a fair demand" for the US to request NATO partners to increase their share of funding.

She told reporters she welcomed an offer from Mattis to deepen the strategic dialogue between Berlin and Washington. She said the two agreed that many global problems could not be solved without Russia but that Moscow also needed to respect international law and the borders of other sovereign countries.

Von der Leyen said fighting terrorism was "a key priority" for both Germany and the United States.

Wearing a pin in his lapel with the US and German flags, Mattis expressed "high regard for Germany as an ally ... It's always stood the test of time, the test of any challenge."

"In my previous roles, I have served with your forces many times, and I would just tell you I have the highest regard for them," he added.

Mattis led Marine units in Afghanistan and Iraq and oversaw the war in Afghanistan from 2010-13 as chief of the US Central Command. Germany currently has about 950 soldiers stationed in Afghanistan. - Read More

US request for NATO spending boost ′a fair demand - Deutsche Welle