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US Embassy Back in Residence on Berlin’s Pariser Platz
At the official opening ceremony of the new US Embassy on Berlin’s Pariser Platz, Chancellor Angela Merkel praised the decisive role played by the United States in German unification. Chancellor Merkel thanked America for its commitment, saying "you have always believed in the power of freedom." Along with Merkel, guest of honor at the ceremony on the Fourth of July was former US President George H. W. Bush, who was in office at the time of the fall of the Berlin Wall and German unification. Bush joined US Ambassador William Timken and his wife, Sue Timken, in the ceremonial Ribbon Cutting. German Ambassador to the United States Klaus Scharioth also attended the event. The freedom to walk through the Brandenburg Gate has become normality, remarked the Chancellor. But back in 1945 things were very different. Back then, the Americans had to "gain the confidence and touch the hearts of the Berlin people," she said. Merkel praised the assistance provided by America’s Marshall Plan: "and what far-sighted assistance it was." President Bush said he was moved by the occasion. “Today, we fit one of the last pieces of a historic puzzle back into place, and the reality it lays bear – a new American Embassy, in the capital of a unified Germany, sitting in the heart of a Europe that is indeed whole and free and at peace – is, in fact, a great and noble dream realized.”
The site of the new US Embassy, less than fifty meters from the Brandenburg Gate, has great symbolic value. Palais Blücher, the building bought by the United States in 1931 to use as an embassy, stood on the very same site. The Palais was badly damaged during the war and the East German government had it demolished. Until 1989, the site formed part of the no-man’s land in the shadow of the Berlin Wall. Following German unification, the US government decided to build its new embassy on the site of its former premises. The new building pays homage to America’s friendship with Germany and its people.
Joint action in tackling global challenges Chancellor Merkel emphasized the strength of the transnational partnership between the US and Europe. She said she was convinced that "global challenges cannot be addressed at national level", adding that combating hunger, terrorism and climate change calls for joint action. NATO is the right address in matters of transatlantic security policy even if such policy is then supplemented and underpinned by the EU, she said. Of course, the transatlantic partnership goes way beyond common security policy: it rests of four strong pillars. The Chancellor thus called for "more synergies", saying that a joint approach could be especially fruitful when it comes to energy efficiency and protecting the environment against the impacts of climate change. "Our economies are the most innovative in the world", said Merkel. Common values Merkel praised the "sound friendship" between the US and Germany. "We share the same values", she said. These include respect for human rights, independence and freedom. The Chancellor stressed that we must never cease in telling the younger generation "how important it is to fight for what you believe in". An Independence Day fireworks display capped the ceremonial opening day. The celebrations continued on Saturday with Amerikafest near the Brandenburg Gate. Source: REGIERUNGonline, United States Diplomatic Mission to Germany July 7, 2008 Links
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