Bundesregierung

"This anniversary gives us the opportunity to redefine the foundations of our alliance,” stated Angela Merkel clearly after a meeting with US President Barack Obama. The two heads of government spoke out in favour of reforming NATO.
 

Afghanistan – a test for NATO

 
Both Angela Merkel and Barack Obama see Afghanistan as a test for NATO. The Chancellor praised the new approach of the USA, which is very much in line with Germany’s. For Germany, "networked security is a fundamental principle,” she declared. This involves dovetailing military and civilian reconstruction and training for the police force. Equally important, however, is capacity development for the Afghans to enable them to help themselves. "That is our aim,” underscored the Chancellor.
 
Barack Obama added, "We must coordinate our activities”. All NATO member states must provide appropriate inputs. "I am confident that Germany, as a leading European nation, will do its bit,” he said.
 

New architecture for NATO

 
"This alliance is the most successful alliance in modern history,” stated Barack Obama. It has a vision and takes a long-term view. "And now we must use this vision to help us meet the challenges of the 21^st century,” said the President.
 
He told his audience that he hadn’t come to Baden-Baden with major plans, but that he was here to listed and share ideas, "so that we can together hammer out our vision of what NATO should look like in future,” he stated clearly.
 
Along with the other member states, the most should be made of this opportunity to create a new architecture for NATO. The leading role of Germany and the United States is fundamentally important in this context. "In the course of time, we will be able to make progress towards peace and prosperity,” assured Barack Obama.
 

Weathering the crisis with transatlantic cooperation

 
Angela Merkel and Barack Obama also discussed the outcome of the previous day’s G20 summit in Baden-Baden. The leading industrialised nations and emerging economies agreed in London to take concrete action to put in place a new international financial architecture. Effective controls are to make risks more calculable and stabilise markets.
 
The Chancellor praised the London summit. It showed the world, she said that these counties are ready and willing to cooperate. "It is a joint responsibility for us, because transatlantic relations are a driving force that will help us weather this crisis.”
 
For the American President one thing is clear. "If we do not coordinate our activities properly, we will fail as a group”. In London, he said the first steps were taken to encourage economic growth. They are no guarantee of an immediate recovery, but they are a prerequisite for recovery.  
 
A lot of work lies ahead for Germany and the USA, stressed Angela Merkel afterwards, but Germany is more than willing to do its bit, "and the American President is very very welcome here,” as she said.