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Steinmeier and Rice — Unity on the Central Issues
Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier met with US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice today in Washington, DC, where they discussed a range of international issues. The two foreign policy leaders have met each other frequently over the past two-and-half years. "The USA is our most important ally," Steinmeier said in a joint press conference with Rice after their meeting. "Frank is not only my great colleague, but my good friend," Rice said. "We had a stimulating discussion of the work that remains ahead of us." Western Balkans at forefront of talks The importance of stabilizing the Western Balkans was at the forefront of their talks, Foreign Minister Steinmeier said, the situation being especially challenging as nationalist forces in the Serbian elections would attempt to upset the pro-Europe sentiment. Steinmeier said he and Rice used Friday's meeting to look back at the results of last week's NATO Summit in Bucharest, where the Balkans were an important part of the agenda.
On the situation in the Middle East, Steinmeier said he hopes that the international community's joint efforts will be enough to encourage the partners again and again to find solutions. "The way to peace is worth it." Speaking later in the day, Steinmeier added that he and Rice had observed that there was once again movement in the process between the Palestinians and the Israelis. Steinmeier looked ahead to the upcoming conference on the Middle East in Paris, at which one goal will be to support the Palestinians in taking on more responsibility. Essential in this is the building up of their own police force, Steinmeier said, which the EU is prepared to support in coordination with involved partners. On Iran, Steinmeier reiterated his statement that the latest comments out of Tehran are a renewed provocation of the international community. He stressed the importance of maintaining the joint approach toward Iran, saying that the international community has always managed to maintain its unity, even in challenging situations. Secretary Rice also emphasized the importance of the dual-track approach—pursuing sanctions and supporting talks. "Germany has been a stalwart in our policy, the dual-track policy," she underscored.
During the press conference, the two also addressed the recent unrest in China over its policy toward the Tibetans. Both Steinmeier and Rice encouraged China to work calm the situation and to use the current opportunity to reach out to cultural and religious groups. Finally, Secretary Rice had some good-natured advice and kidding for Steinmeier in preparation for his appearance at Fenway Park in Boston on Saturday to throw out the first pitch at the Red Sox-Yankees game. "I would tell him not to do it," she said, smiling. "This is risky, Frank." But she ended with more encouragement. "Good luck, Frank. I'll be looking for the YouTube version." While in Washington, Foreign Minister Steinmeier had the opportunity to talk with the foreign policy advisors to the three US presidential candidates to form an impression about the foreign policy views of the candidates. Foreign Minister Steinmeier also met with Senator Joe Liebermann (I-CT). After arriving on Thursday night, Steinmeier met with Dr. Henry Kissinger. Washington's newest museum
Finally on Friday, on the occasion of the official opening of the Newseum, Foreign Minister Steinmeier visited the Berlin Gallery at the museum, which he hailed for its dedication to nothing less than the freedom of the press and the freedom of expression. He found the Berlin Gallery—home to a graffiti-covered, eight-section piece of the Berlin Wall and an East German border watchtower—evoked memories of the night of November 9, 1989, on which the city's fortified borders dramatically opened.
"I can hardly believe that next year is already the 20th anniversary" of the fall of the wall, he said. Steinmeier recalled that those American journalists who traveled to West Germany after World War II to train their German colleagues in particular contributed to the Berlin Wall opening by ensuring that the press would eventually play a pivotal role. Full itinerary in Boston In Boston on Saturday, Foreign Minister Steinmeier will attend a conference at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems, Fraunhofer USA Inc. and MIT will announce the establishment of the joint Center for Sustainable Energy Systems. The center, bringing together German and US technology, is the first concrete project in an initiative started by Foreign Minister Steinmeier and Secretary Rice in the fight against climate change. Later, Steinmeier will hold a speech at Harvard expounding on his views and suggestions for the development of a new transatlantic agenda. He will also meet with Massachusetts Senator Ted Kennedy at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum. And not least, Foreign Minister Steinmeier will have the privilege and pleasure of throwing out the first pitch at the Red Sox-Yankees game at Fenway Park on Saturday night, an excellent opportunity to gain in-depth insight into the American culture and way of life. April 11, 2008 Links
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