German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said Europe should not fully distance itself from the United States, stressing the importance of maintaining the transatlantic partnership.

In remarks to German public broadcaster ZDF, Wadephul said Europe needed to make greater efforts to become more independent and sovereign, “but not independent from the United States.”

“That would be a separation. No one wants that, and it is not necessary,” he said.

Wadephul added that the debate should not be framed as an either-or choice, saying: “Let us have an honest discussion about what we can and must do more in Europe, and at the same time what the United States represents for us… It is a reliable alliance.”