German security chiefs upbeat on intel cooperation with US

BERLIN (AP) — Senior security officials in Germany say Monday they are optimistic about intelligence sharing with the United States and Britain, despite friction in other policy areas in recent months.

Speaking at a gathering of intelligence experts in Berlin, Germany’s top security official says cooperation with the Trump administration is “excellent” when it comes to combating terrorism.

While a meeting in Sicily exposed deep differences between the United States and other members of the Group of Seven on issues such as climate change and trade, Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere says there was relative unanimity when it came to joint anti-terrorism measures.

“The issue of security brings everyone together,” he says.

De Maiziere’s comments echo those of Germany’s domestic intelligence chief, Hans-Georg Maassen, who told public broadcaster ARD that “we have always viewed the Americans as reliable partners, despite all the problems we had in recent years” — a reference to US spies eavesdropping on German government phones.

“We need the Americans because the Americans have good and reliable information,” Maassen adds. “On the other hand … the Americans need the information of German and European intelligence services.”

Germany saw a number of violent attacks by Islamic extremists last year, including the deadly truck attack on a Berlin Christmas market that left 12 victims dead. The attack, carried out by a young Tunisian man who had been denied asylum in Germany, was later claimed by the Islamic State group.

— AP