On Syria, where Mrs Merkel is resisting pressure from the UK and France to lift an EU arms embargo to allow equipment to go to the rebels, they agreed to keep working to find ways to increase pressure on the Assad regime while strengthening the "moderate" opposition.

BBC: Cameron and Merkel 'agree to work together' on EU

In short, the Clinton decision to lift the trade embargo is an ignominious one, unworthy of a freedom-loving nation.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Center For Security Policy

Gulf monarchies dismissed the call, but the mere whiff of an embargo was enough to lift oil prices to a six-month high.

ECONOMIST: But there is little they can do