Commenting on President Obama’s announcement today that the United States would not continue to pursue its missile defence plans for Central Europe in their current form, Federal Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier issued the following statement in Berlin today (17 September):

“I am glad that after today’s decision we now have the opportunity to have a new discussion with all partners on the issue of missile defence in Europe.

From the very start I warned that, ultimately, we need more and not less joint security. That is why I always emphasized the need to find common solutions to common threats.

The step taken by the Obama Administration today is a signal to all partners that the American Government is striving for such common solutions. That is the right way forward!”