BERLIN — Germany wants ''sensible talks'' with the United States on the countries' spat over alleged American spying, Chancellor Angela Merkel said Friday, indicating that Berlin is still aiming for a formal accord.
Washington has dismissed the idea of a ''no-spy'' agreement demanded by Germany since reports last year that the US National Security Agency was conducting mass surveillance of German citizens — and eavesdropping even on Merkel's cellphone. The discovery of two alleged US spies in Germany earlier this month further stoked German anger, prompting Merkel to demand the departure of the CIA station chief in Berlin.
''Trust can only be restored through talks and certain agreements,'' Merkel said in her first lengthy news conference since the two spy cases came to light.
The Obama administration has remained largely silent.