U.S. Vice President Mike Pence | Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images | Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images Mike Pence to visit Munich, Brussels He will discuss transatlantic ties with European partners.

U.S. Vice President Mike Pence will attend the Munich Security Conference and visit Brussels later this month, the White House said in a statement.

Pence met with newly appointed German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel in Washington on Thursday to discuss German-American cooperation. According to the White House readout of the meeting, the leaders agreed on "NATO's centrality in ensuring the security and stability" of Europe and the U.S.

All allies should contribute their "fair share" to collective security by meeting the 2 percent of GDP guideline for military spending, they said, also agreeing that NATO needs to adapt to confront "violent extremism and terrorism."

According to German media, Gabriel broke the ice with Pence by referring to himself and the vice president as "the new kids on the block."

In Munich and Brussels, Pence plans to speak with European partners "about how to deepen and strengthen" the transatlantic alliance.