In 1985 , Kohl and U.S. President Ronald Reagan , as part of a plan to observe the 40th anniversary of V-E Day , saw an opportunity to demonstrate the strength of the friendship that existed between Germany and its former foe . During a November 1984 visit to the White House , Kohl appealed to Reagan to join him in symbolizing the reconciliation of their two countries at a German military cemetery . As Reagan visited Germany as part of the 11th G7 summit in Bonn , the pair visited Bergen-Belsen concentration camp on 5 May and , controversially , the German military cemetery at Bitburg
11th G7 summit
11th G7 summit
Helmut Kohl