United States of America
Gratitude for German reunification
Westerwelle and Clinton
(photothek/Thomas Imo)
“We are aware of what we owe to the US in particular for our freedom in Germany.”With this tribute, after meeting his US counterpart Hillary Clinton, Federal Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle acclaimed America’s role in the fall of the Berlin Wall twenty years ago. Iran, Afghanistan and climate protection were also discussed during their third encounter to date.
Westerwelle thanked Ms. Clinton for choosing to visit Berlin on 9 November, this “historic date”. Both sides underlined that German-American relations were excellent. Westerwelle was confident that “the German-American friendship will further flourish”.
The United States, he continued, had “staunchly” supported Germany’s freedom and security, and “we Germans are very grateful for this”.
Shared aim: improving climate protection
It was clear to Westerwelle that both Germany and the US wanted the climate protection conference in Copenhagen to be a success so that climate protection could be improved.
There was a chance of a good result, he went on, if the EU and the US coordinated their positions and worked towards a common goal.
Afghanistan: Much expected of President Karzai
The two foreign ministers emphasized that the Afghan Government under President Hamid Karzai had to make good governance its yardstick. “We want to see improvements, we want this to be a government for all of Afghanistan. We’re prepared to do our share to ensure positive and peaceful development in Afghanistan”, Westerwelle stressed.
At the same time, however, he expected the Afghan Government to play its role and to make good governance part and parcel of daily life in that country.
Clinton reiterated the significance of Germany’s commitment to Afghanistan, paying tribute to German contributions to the buildup of the police and security forces, as well as praising the Bundeswehr’s engagement and sacrifices during its operation.
Westerwelle replied that a strategic debate was currently going on about the Afghanistan mission, and that from Germany’s point of view the following procedure had to apply:
first, fix the objectives,
second, discuss the strategy, and
then deal with the implementation issues.
Freedom’s Challenge Award to Germany and America
(picture-alliance/dpa)
Atlantic Council Freedom’s Challenge Award
On Sunday evening Minister Westerwelle and his US opposite number had received the Atlantic Council Freedom’s Challenge Award. Westerwelle described this as a “deeply moving event”. The award was conferred to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall.
Westerwelle thanked America for its support during Germany’s reunification. He commemorated the many GDR citizens whose desire for freedom cost them their lives. That love of freedom, he continued, was what finally tore down the Wall: “The Wall didn’t fall, (...) it was pushed over, demolished, torn down in a peaceful revolution”.
Westerwelle and Clinton accepted the award on behalf of the German and American peoples.
The Atlantic Council of the United States is a renowned think-tank which since 1961 has devoted itself to promoting intensive transatlantic dialogue.
Atlantic Council of the United States
Relations with Poland
Westerwelle confirmed that, when selecting the supervisory board members for the Foundation Flight, Expulsion, Forgiveness, the aim of the Foundation – reconciliation – had to be borne in mind. He stated that “the Federal Government will therefore not take any decision which runs counter to that aim.”
Read more on Germany's relations to Poland:
Last updated 09.11.2009
