"What's happening with respect to her position on refugees here, in Europe, she's on the right side of history on this," said Obama on his fifth and final official visit to Germany.
Read more from our special coverage on "REFUGEE CRISIS"
Lauding Merkel for taking "very tough politics not just to express a humanitarian concern but also a practical concern", the US leader said, "She is giving a voice to the kinds of principles that bring people together rather than divide them."
Merkel has faced virulent criticism in Germany over her liberal stance after 1.1 million asylum seekers arrived in Europe's top economy last year.
Critics, particularly from within her conservative camp, argue that Germany is ill-equipped to cope with the sheer scale of the arrivals.
You’ve reached your limit of {{free_limit}} free articles this month.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
Already subscribed? Log in
Subscribe to read the full story →
Smart Quarterly
₹900
3 Months
₹300/Month
Smart Essential
₹2,700
1 Year
₹225/Month
Super Saver
₹3,900
2 Years
₹162/Month
Renews automatically, cancel anytime
Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans
Exclusive premium stories online
Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors


Complimentary Access to The New York Times
News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic
Business Standard Epaper
Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share


Curated Newsletters
Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox
Market Analysis & Investment Insights
In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor


Archives
Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997
Ad-free Reading
Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements


Seamless Access Across All Devices
Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app
)