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German-U.S. Relations

The transatlantic partnership is a basic axiom in German foreign policy. It is no longer merely a matter of security issues. The spectrum of global challenges - from climate protection through the international financial architecture to the identification of the human genome - is now the subject of cooperation.

Headlines

Foreign Minister Steinmeier to Visit United States, April 10 to 13

His appointments in Washington will include a meeting with his American counterpart, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. He will also visit the Berlin Gallery at the Newseum. In Boston, he will speak at Harvard and go to a baseball game between the Red Sox and the Yankees.
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60th Anniversary of the Marshall Plan in Germany

It raised a war-wracked West Germany up out of the ashes and reintegrated it into the community of nations following years of fascist brutality. The U.S. Congress adopted the program on April 3, 1948. The idea came from then-U.S. Secretary of State George C. Marshall.

Germany and the U.S. to Cooperate More Closely to Fight Serious Crime

Federal Interior Minister Schäuble and Federal Justice Minister Brigitte Zypries met with their American counterparts, Attorney General Mukasey and U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Chertoff to initial a bilateral agreement increasing their cooperation on fighting serious crime.

Protocol Amends German-American Double Taxation Convention

Aiming at strengthening competitiveness and investment, it eliminates taxation at source of dividends paid by subsidiaries to their parent companies, establishes mutual recognition of pension institutions, and mandatory dispute resolution by arbitration.

Steinmeier on the US National Intelligence Estimate of the Iranian Nuclear Program

“The assessment released yesterday by the American intelligence agencies offers the chance to inject new momentum into the nuclear talks with Iran,” Steinmeier said in his statement issued on Dec. 4.

Merkel Enjoys Bush’s Down-Home Hospitality in Crawford, Texas

Prairie Chapel Ranch in Crawford, Texas, was the setting this weekend
for talks between Chancellor Angela Merkel and President George W. Bush, who had invited the Chancellor and her husband to his and Laura’s private home.
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Steinmeier Supports US-Russian Proposal to Expand INF Treaty

The US-Russian initiative to multi-lateralize the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty "would lend nuclear disarmament policy urgently needed impetus and thus increase its credibility," Foreign Minister Steinmeier said.
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House, Senate Resolutions Commend Germany on Terrorism Arrests

Following the arrests in September by German authorities of three men now charged with planning terrorist attacks on US and German targets, US legislators passed resolutions commending Germany and recognizing the role of US intelligence in providing information.
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October 6 is German-American Day

President Bush and Ambassador Scharioth both invite citizens to celebrate German-American Day on October 6, a day to acknowledge the significance of German-American heritage in the US as well as the deep bonds of friendship between Germany and the United States.
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Merkel Receives "World Statesman Award 2007"

The Chancellor received the award, presented by the Appeal of Conscience Foundation, an interfaith US foundation that works for religious freedom, from former US secretary of state Henry Kissinger, who praised her achievements.
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Schäuble: Common Values and Common Goals in Fighting Terrorism

“We have the same goals of defending freedom against those who want to use terrorism to abolish it,” Interior Minister Schäuble said in Washington, where he met with Homeland Security Secretary Chertoff on Monday.
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Hesse's Minister President Koch Meets with Treasury Secretary Paulson

Roland Koch, Minister President of Hesse, met with Treasury Secretary Henry M. Paulson and with with Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Robert Kimmitt on Thursday, September 13. He also met with World Bank President Robert Zoellick.

Bundestag President Lammert Meeting with Congressional Members
and US and International Officials

President of the German Bundestag Norbert Lammert is in Washington for meetings with House Speaker Pelosi, Senators Lugar and Bennett, Deputy Treasury Secretary Kimmitt, Deputy Secretary of State Negroponte, as well is World Bank President-designate Zoellick.

Afghanistan, Kosovo on Agenda for Defense Minister Jung in DC

Defense Minister Jung met with Defense Secretary Gates and with National Security Advisory Hadley in Washington on June 26. The main topics of these talks were the joint efforts in Afghanistan and Kosovo, as well as the planned missile defense system.

Ronald Reagan's Famous "Tear Down This Wall" Speech Turns 20

When then US President Reagan made his historic speech in front of the Berlin Wall, his message for his Soviet counterpart was clear: "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall." Months of discussion and even arguing went into crafting the 20-minute speech and those six words.

Merkel and Bush Exchange Ideas on Africa, Climate Protection

I hope that we can send a strong signal together," Chancellor Merkel said after meeting with President Bush before the G8 Summit. They exchanged ideas "at great length" on combating poverty in Africa and climate protection in addition to going through the entire agenda.

Close EU-US Cooperation in Efforts Against Organized Crime, International Terrorism

Interior Minister Schäuble and Homeland Security Secretary Chertoff met with a European Parliament committee to discuss ongoing negotiations on EU-US cooperation in the field of data protection as part of joint efforts against international terrorism and crime.

Atlantik-Brücke to Honor Secretary Rice with Warburg Award in Berlin

The Atlantik-Brücke will honor Secretary of State Rice in recognition of her outstanding contributions to fostering relations between Germany and the United States, particularly her support of German unification while a member of the National Security Council.

EU/US Summit – Improving European-US Economic Cooperation

At the EU/US Summit in Washington on Monday, Chancellor Angela Merkel, as EU Council President, President Bush and European Commission President Barroso adopted a significant agreement on a framework for transatlantic economic integration.
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First Map to Use Name “America” Formally Presented to United States

Chancellor Merkel formally transfered to the United States the 1507 map by German cartographer Waldseemüller that was the first to use the name “America” in a ceremony with House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer at the Library of Congress.
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Survey Shows Americans Continue to Have Positive View of Germany

Middle East Quartet to Meet More Frequently

The support of the Quartet for the peace effort in the Middle East is an ongoing process, Foreign Minister Steinmeier said after the group met in Washington Friday, and the Quartet will next meet in Berlin after Secretary Rice meets with Israeli and Palestinian leaders.
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Chancellor Merkel & President Bush Discuss International Relations, Economic Issues

Chancellor Merkel and President Bush have called for a reinvigoration of the Middle East Quartet. The EU, the US, Russia and the UN must work together at solving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Merkel said after meeting with Bush at the White House on January 4.

Former President Bush and Chancellor Kohl Speak at Embassy’s Day of German Unity Celebration 2006

Former President Bush and Chancellor Kohl were the guests of honor at the Day of German Unity Celebration hosted on October 3 by Ambassador Scharioth and Saxony Minister President Milbradt.

President Bush audio / text / video	Chancellor Kohl audio / text / video
Ambassador Scharioth audio/ text / video	Minister President Milbradt audio / text / video