... Dr. Volker Stanzel, Political Director of the German Federal Foreign Office
-
- (© GKNY)
Interview with Dr. Volker Stanzel, Political Director in the German Federal Foreign Office.
Question: The first 100 days of the Obama Administration have come to a close. Here in the U.S., commentators have taken stock of those first 100 days and also commented on Obama`s performance on the international stage. His trip to Europe in early April where he attended several summit meetings, offered international leaders the chance to get more insight into the ideas, priorities and objectives of the new administration. What is your assessment of the current status and the future of transatlantic relations? Do you see continuity or change? What will be the crucial issues in the upcoming months?
Dr. Volker Stanzel: I think that the new administration makes noticeable and successful efforts to meet the high expectations. In fact, there is even more continuity than many people realize. For example, there have not been any substantial changes in respect to the relations with Russia and China, in the Middle East or Afghanistan policies, in transatlantic relations or the U.S. position regarding NATO. We can see farther-reaching change regarding Guantanamo, the offer of direct talks with Iran and relations with Cuba. However, more fundamental is the change in communications. If this continues, it will lead to more policy change as well. There is a new openness of the new administration, to develop and exercise politics multilaterally. We could already see this in the Afghanistan policy. Here, ample consultations lead to an adjustment of the alliance’s strategy. This culminated at the NATO summit in early April. But we can also recognize it elsewhere, for example, in the Middle East or Latin America policies.
Q: Just last week you again visited Russia. For Germany, Russia is an important partner, not only as a major provider of energy. The United States is aware that Germany’s word is of importance in Russia. What role can Germany assume for the relations between Russia and the U.S.?
A: It is certainly true that Germany is the most important partner in Europe for Russia. The United States is a nuclear power and permanent member of the UN Security Council just like Russia. For Russia, the U.S. is a very different economic partner than Germany. Thus, the U.S. pursues its own interests and objectives in Russia, which only partly overlap with those of Germany. It goes without saying that the opinions of the allies of the U.S. are of major relevance to the formulation of U.S. policy on Russia, and vice-versa. That is normal among allies. However, it is up to the two countries to reshape and improve their relations, to the point at which one can speak of a “reset.” Here, neither Germany nor any other European country can assume a role that goes beyond the above.
Q: China is increasingly involved in the new world order. Having been Germany’s ambassador to China, how do you see relations between China and the U.S.? Do you think that China’s international influence will grow even more as a result of the current financial and economic crises?
A: From my point of view, relations between the United States and China are the least conflict-laden among the major international relations. First, at this stage, there are no fundamental issues to be resolved. In addition, the interests of both partners regarding the current financial and economic crises are nearly identical. That is not to say that relations between these two countries will always remain harmonious. Just because of the entirely different political systems – democratic on one side, autocratic on the other –certain conflicts will persist. However, the more China grows into its role as a major global power and the more it is prepared to assume the responsibilities that come with this role, the greater the potential for constructive cooperation will become. That is our hope, also with respect to the economic crisis. Europeans and Americans alike have to seek dialogue with China, and to involve China in all decisions with global impact.
Thank you, Dr. Stanzel
