US President Barack Obama (2nd-L) and First Lady Michelle Obama (L) greet German Chancellor Angela Merkel (C) and her husband Joachim Sauer (R) at the North Portico of the White House in Washington, DC, on June 7, 2011 for the State Dinner. Obama warned Europe's debt crisis must not destabilize the global economy, as he laid on a lavish and warm White House welcome for Merkel. Obama said he and Merkel had extensive talks about the plight of debt-stricken Greece, which needs a second huge financial bailout, despite some reluctance from some eurozone members to stump up fresh funds.
President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama welcome German Chancellor Angela Merkel and her husband Joachim Sauer at the North Portico of the White House as they arrive for the State Dinner in Washington, Tuesday, June 7, 2011.
US President Barack Obama speaks during a State Dinner for German Chancellor Angela Merkel in the Rose Garden at the White House in Washington, DC, June 7, 2011.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel, left, reacts as President Barack Obama remembers to share a toast in her honor at a State Dinner, Tuesday, June 7, 2011, in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington.
Pablo Martinez Monsivais / AP Photo
U.S. President Barack Obama toasts German Chancellor Angela Merkel at an official State Dinner in the Rose Garden at the White House in Washington, June 7, 2011.
President Barack Obama, right, presents German Chancellor Angela Merkel, left,with the Medal of Freedom during the State Dinner in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, June 7, 2011.
A place setting for first lady Michelle Obama is seen in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, June 7, 2011, during a preview for members of the media,prior to Tuesday night's dinner in honor of German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
The White House host a State Dinner performance by members of the National Symphony Orchestra in the Rose Garden in honor of German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Tuesday, June 7, 2011.
Pablo Martinez Monsivais / AP Photo
