Photo Essay: Foreign Minister Westerwelle's Whirlwind Visit to DC in January 2012
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Some 200 people turned out at the quintessential DC think tank to hear the German Foreign Minister talk about the euro and the future of Europe. “The famous line from Mark Twain's memoirs about Wagner is also true for Europe: ‘The music is better than it sounds.’ And I say that as a great fan of both Richard Wagner and of European integration.” (© Thomas Imo/photothek.net) -
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From Brookings, the Foreign Minister headed to Foggy Bottom, for a working lunch with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. (© Thomas Imo/photothek.net) -
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Secretary Clinton hosted Foreign Minister Westerwelle and his delegation in the State Department’s Diplomatic Reception Rooms, which are decorated with a premier collection of 18th century American furniture, art and objects. Here she watched as Foreign Minister Westerwelle signed the guest book. (© Thomas Imo/photothek.net) -
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Happy Birthday! Secretary Clinton surprised Foreign Minister Westerwelle with this fine cake in honor of his 50th birthday, which he had celebrated in Berlin earlier in the week. (© Thomas Imo/photothek.net) -
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In what is known as a "bilat" in journalistic speak, the Foreign Minister and Secretary Clinton together spoke to the press after their lunch. (© picture alliance / dpa) -
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The Foreign Minister had been looking forward to this visit to the new memorial to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on the banks of the Tidal Basin. “I find it very moving to stand here among the eloquent words that King spoke and so close as well to where he delivered his famous ‘I Have a Dream’ speech.” (© Thomas Imo/photothek.net) -
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"I have always regarded King as an inspirational figure," Foreign Minister Westerwelle said. (© picture alliance / dpa) -
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Though they did not recognize him, these young people visiting the memorial knew Foreign Minister Westerwelle must be some kind of a celebrity, what with the security guards and gaggle of camera people following him. (© Thomas Imo/photothek.net) -
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A meeting with editors and reporters at Bloomberg News rounded out the Foreign Minister’s packed visit to the nation’s capital. (© Thomas Imo/photothek.net) -
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Back in the Bundeswehr-operated Airbus, the Foreign Minister surely took some time on his overnight flight to Berlin to prepare for the round of meetings next on his schedule. (© Germany.info)
