Merkel COSIES up with Obama: Angela welcomes ex-President to Germany with affection

Ms Merkel was pictured touching Mr Obama warmly on the cheek as the pair met in Berlin.

They sat down for talks at Ms Merkel’s office and the former US president could be seen through the window laughing.

Ms Merkel and Mr Obama later emerged together before the German chancellor waved Mr Obama off.

The former US president and the German chancellor are known to have a good working relationship, with Mr Obama previously describing Ms Merkel as “one of my favourite partners throughout my presidency”.

His last phone call before leaving the White House in January 2017 was to the German leader.

Mr Obama thanked her for her “strong, courageous and steady leadership”.

The White House said: “Given their eight years of friendship and partnership, the president noted that it was fitting that his final call with a foreign leader was with Chancellor Merkel.”

Donald Trump took over from Mr Obama, who served two terms as America’s president from 2009 to 2017.

Ms Merkel has been Germany’s chancellor since 2005 but last year she

confirmed that she would not stand for re-election when her term ends in 2021.

She also stepped down as the leader of the Christian Democrat Union (CDU) party in December following heavy election losses.

More to follow.