Berlin - German Chancellor Angela Merkel is hoping for improved US-German relations under the Obama presidency, she said in a television interview on Tuesday.

"I hope that our cooperation is shaped by listening to one another, and making decisions on the basis that one country alone cannot solve the world's problems," Merkel said Tuesday on German state broadcaster ARD.

"This is the spirit in which I will encounter him," the chancellor added.

Merkel said Obama was taking office at a time marred by problems, "for one thing, the economic situation in the world and also in the United States of America, but also many international conflicts"

The chancellor expects a stronger multilateral approach to the financial crisis. "This means that, when dealing with international agreements, the United States of America will also need to offer up some of its own sovereignty to international organisations."

As well as talking about long-term economic goals, Merkel said, "this means engaging with international rules for the financial markets."

Acknowledging that this is a tall order, she added, "it will be necessary to talk and argue about these things." (dpa)