The Foreign Policy of the Obama Administration: Opportunities and Challenges for Europe for Europe
Deutsch-Amerikanische Vereinigung der Parlamentsmitarbeiter/innen (German-American Association of Parliamentary Staffers)
Berlin,Bundestag
(Berlin, March 5, 2009)
CDA John M. Koenig
Thank you, Mr. Fleischhauer,
MdB Polenz,
Alumni of the Congress-Bundestag Staff Exchange Program
Ladies and gentlemen,
Thank you very much for the opportunity to address the members of the Deutsch-Amerikanische Vereinigung der Parlamentsmitarbeiter/innen. I would like to commend you for your commitment to our bilateral partnership. As you know, the Congress-Bundestag/Bundesrat Staff Exchange Program celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2009, along with the Congress/Bundestag Youth Exchange Program. These unique bilateral exchange programs are among the most successful trust-building measures ever established between Germany and the United States, and they continue to play a vital role in German-American relations, enabling participants to learn about each other’s cultures and political institutions, convey issues of mutual concern, and find common ground.
This year the Federal Republic of Germany celebrates two important anniversaries – the 60th anniversary of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Germany and the 20th anniversary of fall of the Berlin Wall. These two anniversaries could not be more symbolic of what has been termed the greatest success story of modern diplomacy. These two events have also played key roles in defining and nurturing our bilateral partnership – a partnership between countries that is unprecedented in the depth and breadth of its political, economic, and cultural connections.
Our new president, President Barack Obama, has spoken frequently about change. The challenge for us is to harness the forces of change and to make change work on behalf of a more sustainable, peaceful, progressive, and prosperous world. President Obama has not downplayed the gravity of the issues confronting us, but he has sparked a unifying sense of energy and purpose: yes, indeed, together we can create a future of expanding security and opportunity. The challenges are daunting and the expectations high – both within and outside the United States – but there is great potential for significant, transformational steps forward in addressing such issues as the financial crisis, ongoing conflict in the Middle East, the continuing threats posed by terrorist extremists, the spread of weapons of mass destruction, and the dangers of climate change, pandemic disease, worldwide poverty and financial instability. Global problems require global solutions, none of which can be achieved by any one country alone. How do we come together to seize the opportunities of our interdependence and to address the challenges?
One way to do that is to cement the already strong ties between Europe and America, and in particular, between Germany and America. The United States has no more trusted allies than those in Europe. The new Administration intends to deepen this traditional relationship of confidence and trust with Europe based on shared values, vision, and interests. The Obama administration has made it clear that we rely on Germany’s and Europe’s support and assistance to face global challenges together.
In conclusion, let me say that we in the Embassy are convinced that there is a new tone in the transatlantic relationship and the nature of our cooperation. . This is what we felt on the night of the President’s inauguration. And this is what I had the honor of seeing in Munich in countless contacts between Germans and Americans, from our most senior officials to other experts in the conference hall. It was also palpable in Hannover earlier this week as Governor Schwarzenegger visited CeBIT and met with Chancellor Merkel and others. I feel it every day in my work, whether with the public, the media, think tanks, or with government officials and members of the Bundestag.
At the Embassy, we work closely with the Bundestag on a number of different levels. This has been very valuable. In January, our Economic Section welcomed the Bundestag Economic Committee to our new Embassy, I look forward to our discussion today and also hosting a followup session at our new location on Pariser Platz.
Thank you.
