Obama and Merkel's Press Conference June 7

See the State dinner schedule of events here. Entire press conference:

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Obama's Schedule June 7

All times are eastern.

9:15 AM
The Obamas and the Bidens welcome Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany to the White House.

10:15 AM
Obama holds a bilateral meeting with Chancellor Merkel; Biden also attends.

11:00 AM
Obama holds an expanded bilateral meeting with Chancellor Merkel and official U.S., German delegations.

11:35 AM
Obama and Chancellor Merkel hold a joint press conference. LIVE STREAM

12:30 PM
The Bidens and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton host a lunch in honor of Chancellor Merkel.

6:00 PM
The Obamas welcome Chancellor Merkel.

6:30 PM
Barack and Michelle Obama take official photo with Chancellor Merkel.

7:35 PM
The Obamas attend the State Dinner with Chancellor Merkel; President Obama and Chancellor Merkel each deliver a toast.

8:55 PM
The Obamas attend the State Dinner Reception with Chancellor Merkel; The Bidens also attend.

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Obama and Merkel Have Pre State Dinner

Merkel, Obama, Cameron at G8

The big day is tomorrow, a fancy ceremonial dinner at the White House. Tonight, dinner in Georgetown at 1789 restaurant:

Obama is devoting an unusual degree of personal attention to Merkel's visit. His motorcade pulled up to Blair House, the government guest house across from the White House where the chancellor is staying, and whisked her to the city's Georgetown neighborhood Monday evening for dinner at an elegant restaurant modeled on a country inn. They emerged after about two hours. Read more at AP

It's strange the press would characterize Obama's attention to Merkel's visit as "unusual." Don't world leaders deserve a certain amount of respect as guests of the U.S? Don't Obama and Merkel have a lot to talk about? Afghanistan, Libya, the economy...

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Obamas Host State Dinner for Germany June 7

From the White House:
President Obama and the First Lady will welcome German Chancellor Angela Merkel and her husband, Dr. Joachim Sauer, to the White House for an Official Visit and State Dinner on June 7, 2011. This will be the first Official Visit by a German chancellor since Helmut Kohl was hosted at the White House in 1995. Chancellor Merkel, who grew up in communist East Germany and who became Germany’s first woman chancellor in 2005, received the 2010 Medal of Freedom, which the President will present to her during this visit.

The Chancellor’s visit underscores the fundamental importance of the U.S.-German alliance, the depth of the friendship between our people, and our commitment to move forward together on behalf of our shared interests and values. The President and the Chancellor will discuss the broad array of issues on which the United States and Germany cooperate closely, including in Afghanistan, the Middle East, Iran, and on promoting human rights and global economic stability and growth.

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