German official says he doesn’t see binding agreement emerging from talks on US no-spy deal

BERLIN – The German government’s new co-ordinator for trans-Atlantic relations says he doubts talks aimed at securing a “no-spy” agreement with the U.S. will produce a deal that’s legally binding.

Chancellor Angela Merkel’s government is seeking such an accord following revelations about surveillance by the National Security Agency, including allegations Merkel’s cellphone was monitored.

Earlier this week, President Barack Obama said there’s no country with which Washington has “a no-spy agreement.”

Philipp Missfelder, who recently took on the co-ordinator role, told reporters on Thursday that Berlin is continuing to push for a deal, but he’s “realistic” and doesn’t expect “that there will be an agreement that is binding under international law.”