Angela Merkel says WHO is “indispensable partner” in coronavirus fight

The World Health Organisation (WHO) is an “indispensable partner” in the battle against coronavirus and Germany supports its mandate, the country’s Chancellor Angela Merkel announced on Thursday.

Her comments came after U.S. President Donald Trump announced last week suspending funding for the WHO and accused it of “severely mismanaging” the pandemic.

The international cooperation is “extremely important” to defeat the coronavirus, Merkel said in an address to the German parliament.

At a European level, Merkel said she would work with other world leaders to ensure there is a rapid response to the changing situation, adding that Germany ought to be ready to pay more into the EU budget.

“Our consultations today won’t yet be about nailing down details or deciding on the extent but one thing is already clear: in the spirit of solidarity, we should be prepared — over a limited period of time — to make… much higher contributions to the EU budget,” Merkel said.