Remarks to Bundestag Economic Committee
Berlin, U.S. Embassy Quadriga Room
Chargé d’Affaires John M. Koenig
January 28, 2009

Members of the Bundestag Economic Committee, it is a pleasure and a privilege to welcome you to the Embassy.  Here in the Quadriga Room, we like to think we have one of the best views of the Brandenburg Gate and the Reichstag in all of Berlin.  As an American diplomat who started his career at the old American Embassy in East Berlin during the 1980s, I feel very strongly that this new building is symbolic of a new chapter in the unique story of postwar German-American cooperation.  I remember in those days back in the 1980s that there was an undercurrent of change but, as Ronald Reagan said after his historic visit to Berlin in June 1987, he -- and most people -- never dreamed that in less than three years Germany would be unified.   Nor could we believe that one day the American Embassy would stand where there was once a wall.  In fact, I worked on negotiations to swap this site for one we could build on in East Berlin in the mid-1980s. The negotiations broke down – thank goodness.  Common purpose and resolve brought the Cold War to an end – on the part of committed citizens, as well as nations. 
 
In his inaugural address last week, President Obama vowed that same kind of resolve.  He spoke with gravity of the troubled times at hand but also with confidence of the possibilities ahead.  That message of confidence and resolve spread like a wave through the crowd of two million people on the Mall in Washington -- and to the billion spectators in front of TV screens around the planet. 
 
Although expectations of the new administration are high and the challenges daunting, President Obama starts his term with the highest rating of any recent new president.  According to national public opinion polls, three-quarters of Americans are favorably disposed to him.  The international polls are similar.  America and the world have greeted President Obama with an outpouring of goodwill and hope. 
 
Here in Germany, this enthusiasm and fascination opens new opportunities for strengthening our partnership on all levels. 

This past year, we have focused on a new initiative -- a new study we call “Benchmarking Success” -- to measure the depth and breadth of the U.S.-German economic, political and cultural partnership.  We found to our surprise that the level of bilateral integration has soared since German Unification, not declined, as some had thought.  Just to cite one example, U.S. investment in Germany has quadrupled while German investment in America has risen an astounding seven times.  Our deep interdependence is a vital factor for both domestic economic growth and global stability and prosperity.  In troubled times like these, it is also increases our responsibilities to consult and cooperate, to work together to navigate through the crisis toward renewed, sustainable growth.

Hillary Clinton, America’s  new Secretary of State used the term “smart power” to describe a broad, integrative approach to foreign affairs.    At her Senate hearings earlier this month, she outlined how vital it is that we use the full range of tools at our disposal -- diplomatic, economic, military, political, legal and cultural -- picking the right tool or combination of tools for each situation. 

Now at the start of this new era in American politics and transatlantic relations, we will place an even larger emphasis on seeking out opportunities where we can to partner with the private sector, nongovernmental organizations, international organizations, the military and other agencies of government to achieve results that advance our security and economic interests and values.  Last Thursday – his second day on the job – President Obama joined Secretary Clinton at the State Department, underscoring his “commitment to the importance of diplomacy and renewing American leadership.” 

Secretary Clinton has indicated that she will seek a larger role for the State Department in our international economic relations.  On economic policy, President Obama has put together an exceptionally strong team, including Treasury Secretary Geithner, economic advisor Sommers, Paul Volcker and others, to help formulate policies that will limit the damage of the current crisis and lay the foundation for strong, sustainable growth in the years to come.  With the appointment of Todd Stern as the Special Envoy for Climate Change earlier this week, the new administration underlined the importance it attaches to addressing global climate change and the corollary issue of clean energy.  We can turn the climate crisis into an economic opportunity that creates jobs, generates growth, enhances our competitive edge, and ensures greater prosperity in the 21st century.

The challenge we face is global, not national, and solutions will depend on both our individual and our common efforts.  In this respect, we are very interested in the work of the Economic Committee.  Your work is particularly important during this time of crisis.  Bob Pollard and his team will be discussing aspects of President Obama’s economic stimulus package and related efforts to address the financial crisis later.  Germany plays a leading role within the EU and the G-8, and strong German leadership and input is crucial to the success of our global economic reforms.  There will be a number of opportunities in the upcoming months to develop on the G-20 Summit Process.  Transatlantic cooperation going into the April G-20 Summit in London is crucial. 

The Obama administration will also be very well represented at the upcoming Munich Security Conference.  Vice-President Joe Biden will attend, as well as National Security Advisor Jim Jones, Special Envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan, Richard Holbrooke, CENTCOM Commander David Petraeus and others.  As in past years, John McCain and Joe Lieberman will lead the congressional delegation.  The new chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Senator John Kerry, will also attend.  Of course, the Obama administration will also attend the NATO Summit in Baden Baden and Strasbourg in April.  These meetings will underscore our reinvigorated commitment to    our transatlantic Alliance in all its aspects, with our German-American strategic partnership at its center. 

Here at the Embassy in Berlin, we intend to be an open channel through which our nations can communicate better.  Again, welcome to the Embassy.  Thank you for coming.  We look forward to a productive meeting.