Merkel agrees with Biden on importance of transatlantic cooperation - spokesman

German Chancellor Angela Merkel spoke to U.S. President-elect Joe Biden by telephone on Tuesday and they agreed on the importance of the transatlantic partnership, her spokesman said.

"She congratulated him and Vice President-designate Kamala Harris on their election victory. The chancellor expressed the wish for close and trusting future cooperation," Merkel's spokesman said in a statement.

"The chancellor and the president-designate agreed that transatlantic cooperation is of great importance in view of the many global challenges," he added. (Writing by Paul Carrel Editing by Edward Taylor)