Philadelphia, Dhu-AlHijjah 22, 1436, Oct 6, 2015, SPA -- German President Joachim Gauck called Tuesday for a strengthening of US-German relations in the face of war and terrorism, dpa reported. "If we are honest, we have not handled the trans-Atlantic relationship as carefully as necessary," he said in remarks at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. "The north Atlantic alliance is and remains the prerequisite of a free existence in most European nations, including Germany," he said, noting that NATO faces new challenges such as terrorism, the rise of autocrats and dictators, fallen states and entire regions sinking into chaos. Gauck also called for a deeper US engagement in the European migrant crisis. -- SPA 22:13 LOCAL TIME 19:13 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/w