German Chancellor Angela Merkel has accepted an invitation to visit the United States, months after allegations that US intelligence had tapped her phone strained relations between the two countries.
In a call on Wednesday, President Barack Obama congratulated Merkel on forming a new government last month and wished her a speedy recovery from a recent skiing accident.
Merkel's spokesman, Steffen Seibert, said Obama also invited Merkel to Washington DC "in the coming months," which she accepted.
The White House said both leaders noted the agenda that awaits them this year, including negotiations toward a proposed free-trade deal between the US and the EU, and a NATO summit in the spring.
Merkel has previously said the relationship between Germany and the US was "put on test" by allegations of massive spying by the US National Security Agency, including on foreign leaders.
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The White House has denied that the US is listening in on Merkel's phone calls now, but hasn't ruled out that this happened in the past.
Media reports of US snooping based on documents leaked by fugitive intelligence contractor Edward Snowden have damaged US relations with key allies and were a political and personal embarrassment for Obama.
