Germany Welcomes President Obama to Berlin
Germany has welcomed US President Obama to Berlin for an official visit on June 18 and 19. His official program on Wednesday is densely packed with appointments, including political talks with Chancellor Merkel, a public speech in front of the Brandenburg Gate on Pariser Platz and a festive dinner. The main topics of discussion are the further development of German-American relations and a multitude of international issues, including the situation in Syria.
As the G8 Summit in Northern Ireland draws to a close, President Obama and Chancellor Merkel travel to Berlin. At the summit they, along with other European leaders, officially announced the launch the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership negotiations, which will begin in Washington on July 8.
G8 Summit
"We will be watching closely whether changes in Iran following this election open up new opportunities both within the country and in its external relations," Foreign Minister Westerwelle said of Hassan Rohani’s election in the first round of the presidential election in Iran.
Elections in Iran
“We bow before the courage of those who resisted the oppression and despotism,” Chancellor Merkel said at a memorial ceremony commemorating the 60th anniversary of the June 17th uprising in East Germany.
June 17 Uprising
On June 12, 2013, German Federal President Joachim Gauk symbolically banged a hammer on the foundation stone of the future Berliner Schloss: a modern palace that will host the center of world cultures known as the Humboldt-Forum.
Berliner Schloss
The Governments of the United States and Germany held a Cyber Bilateral Meeting in Washington, DC on June 10-11, 2013.The U.S.-Germany Cyber Bilateral Meeting reinforced our long-standing alliance by highlighting our pre-existing collaboration on many key cyber issues over the course of the last decade and identifying additional areas for awareness and alignment.
Cyber Bilateral Meeting
"In responding to the protests as it has done so far, the Turkish Government is sending the wrong message to its own country and to Europe," Foreign Minister Westerwelle said on June 12. "Freedom of association and freedom of expression are inalienable fundamental rights in any democracy."
Protests in Turkey
Upon the retirement of Fred B. Irwin, the American Chamber of Commerce in Germany has elected Bernhard Mattes the organization's newest president. Irwin will now be the Honorary President.
Bernhard Mattes
Hollywood stars such as George Clooney, Cate Blanchett and Oscar award-winner Geoffrey Rush are making films in and around Potsdam. George Clooney's film, "The Monuments Men" will hit theaters in 2014.
Hollywood in Germany
Like last week, your business partner takes you to the meeting room in the elevator, but this time you are up north, maybe in Kiel. It's 6 pm. Somebody steps in, looks at you, and says "Moin!" Did that person oversleep to wish "good morning" at the end of the day?
Word of the Week
German Missions
