President Obama's international tour April 1-7, 2009

On April 7, President Obama arrived in Iraq from neighboring Turkey, the final stop after a weeklong European tour. President Obama’s first visit to Europe as president covered eight days, with visits to five nations. In the United Kingdom, the President attended the London Summit and worked with other G-20 leaders to address the global financial crisis. In Strasbourg, France, and Kehl, Germany, the President participated in NATO Summit events and addressed a French and German audience during a town hall event. In Prague, Czech Republic, the President met with Czech officials and with leaders of European Union member states and the European Commission president and held a speech on Hradčany Square. In Turkey, he met with President Gul and Prime Minister Erdogan, as well as with local cultural leaders and students. Before returning to Washington, President Obama addressed the troops in Iraq in a surprise visit.

Please find highlights of the President’s tour below:

• Europe Revisited: Retracing the President's steps in Europe with remarks and behind-the-scenes photos | Photos @ DoS
  
• April 7 - The President Speaks to the Troops
• April 7 - The Student Roundtable in Turkey
• April 6 - Remarks by the President to the Turkish Parliament
• April 5 - The President Presents Ambitious Strategy to Address the Nuclear Threat
• April 4 - Remarks by President Obama at Meeting of North Atlantic Council
• April 3 - President Obama's Town Hall Meeting at Strasbourg
• April 2 - News Conference by the President after the G-20 Summit
• April 1 - Remarks by President Obama and Russian President Medvedev after their Meeting

Please see the Amerika Dienst for German translations of the President’s speeches and remarks.

President Obama's Speech to the Turkish Grand National Assembly in Ankara

April 6, 2009. During his visit to Turkey President Obama emphasized his support for Turkey’s bid for membership in the European Union. He explained that Turkey is a critical ally, vital in issues ranging from energy to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The president also declared, interrupted by applause: “The United States is not, and will never be, at war with Islam... I also want to be clear that America's relationship with the Muslim community, the Muslim world, cannot, and will not, just be based upon opposition to terrorism.” speech in full
• April 7, 2009: Student town hall with President Barack Obama in Istanbul
• April 7, 2009: On his way back from Europe, the President drops in on the troops in Iraq: Video & Transcript | Slideshow
• All about the President's trip April 1-7, 2009

President Obama Presents in Prague Ambitious Strategy to Address the Nuclear Threat

April 5, 2009. In his speech on the Hradčany Square in Prague, President Barack Obama proposed measures to reduce and eventually eliminate existing nuclear arsenals, halt proliferation of nuclear weapons to additional states, and prevent terrorists from acquiring nuclear weapons or materials. The U.S. President called for efforts to strengthen the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, to ensure access to peaceful nuclear power while minimizing the risk of nuclear proliferation. Full text of President Obama's Speech

 Picture Gallery of President Obama's Speech in Prague 
 Picture Gallery of President Obama's Arrival in Prague
 Picture Gallery of Preparation of the site for President Obama's Speech at Hradčany Square

Results from NATO summit

April 4, 2009. En route to Prague, aboard Air Force One, National Security Advisor General Jones told journalists: "I think that our President really was instrumental in bringing about this common ground and finding this common ground — and as a result the Alliance has a new Secretary General elected unanimously. So I think it's a very good day for the Alliance". - Key events and results from the summit:

• Crossing of the Passerelle de deux Rives to France. Program | Live streaming
• Press conference after the NATO meeting: President Obama on Afghanistan
  
• Strasbourg / Kehl Summit Declaration
• Summit Declaration on Afghanistan
• check out U.S. Embassy France
• Speech: President Obama welcomes Albania and Croatia to NATO
• extensive background information on NATO and summit

President Obama answers questions in town hall meeting

April 3, 2009. After meeting with French President Nicolas Sarkozy, President Obama held a town hall in the Rhenus Sports Arena in Strasbourg, France. Adressing the audience of thousands, President Obama expressed how important it was "for me to have an opportunity to not only speak with you but also to hear from you, because that's ultimately how we can learn about each other." German TV covered the event live throughout. more | Read the Q&A

• Press Conference President Obama with Chancellor Merkel in Baden-Baden
  

G-20 Summit: Laying Groundwork for Progress

April 2, 2009. In London President Obama held bilateral meetings with leaders of Russia, China, South Korea, Saudi Arabia and India, as well as Great Britain, discussing, the President said, “coordinated actions on a range of issues: how we could reduce the nuclear threat; how we could forge a coordinated response to North Korea’s planned missile launch; how we can turn back terrorism and stabilize Afghanistan; how we can protect our planet from the scourge of climate change. I'm encouraged that we laid the groundwork for real and lasting progress on a host of these issues.” Full Text | video

Joint Statement by Presidents Medvedev, Obama

April 1, 2009. The President of the Russian Federation, Dmitriy A. Medvedev, and Barack Obama, President of the United States of America, made two joint Statements: “We discussed measures to overcome the effects of the global economic crisis, strengthen the international monetary and financial system, restore economic growth, and advance regulatory efforts to ensure that such a crisis does not happen again. We also discussed nuclear arms control and reduction.” The two presidents reaffirmed that “the era when our countries viewed each other as enemies is long over.” remarks in full | on arms reductions | Fact Sheet: START Aggregate Numbers of Strategic Offensive Arms

 Feed from U.S. Embassy London