US And Germany Working Together On Global Issues
Reaffirming a strong partnership in the 21st century, the United States of America today agreed to work collaboratively to address global issues around the world.
In his remarks with German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier in Berlin, US Secretary of State John Kerry said a strong U.S.-German partnership is crucial to the long list of global issues that both countries face.
Secretary Kerry stressed that the US acknowldeges Germany’s growing and important role on the world stage.
He narrated that both countries have discussed issues related to Syria, Afghanistan, and economic partnerships.
On Syria
Secretary of State John Kerry said that both countries discussed the need for a Syrian-led political solution on the brutal civil war in Syria.
Secretary Kerry reiterated that both countries want the Syrian regime to live up to its obligations on chemical weapons.
“And therefore we call on Bashar al-Assad to live up to his obligations or we will join together with our friends and talk about which, if any, of the options we deem necessary at this point to proceed forward.” – Secretary Kerry
On Security Challenges
Secretary Kerry noted that the US and Germany are working together on critical security challenges.
Both are also working hand-in-hand with respect to Afghanistan where both are colloborating on the significant efforts to build a prosperous future for the Afghan people.
In addition, they are also working very closely on the P5+1 negotiations with respect to Iran.
He said the international community has expressed its concerns over Iran’s nuclear program through several United Nations resolutions.
On Economic Issues
According to Secretary Kerry, both countris also discussed briefly the ongoing economic relationship.
He said Germany is the United States’ largest single European trading partner.
“And this is a relationship that has meant more jobs, investment, and growth in both of our countries.” – Secretary Kerry
Both said they believe that more exciting opportunities lie ahead, and this must be one of the primary areas of focus for them.
One area they are are working on is the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership or the TTIP.
Secretary Kerry pointed out that TTIP is a trade arrangement that could result in one of the world’s largest markets being created, with Europe as the largest market in the world, and the United States the largest single economy in the world.
US, Germany Stress Need For Sustainable Political Process On Syria
The US and Germany discussed other international issues as well and offer full support for the important initiative for an international conference on Syria.
Both countries assert that for a lasting solution to the conflict in Syria, there is a need for a sustainable political process. Both have urged the regime in Damascus to finally stop the violence and come to the negotiation table.
In addition, US and Germany called on the opposition to unite and to participate.
Germany expressed concern about the latest reports and news of delivery of weapons to the Assad regime. They said that the delivery of weapons to the Assad regime is totally wrong, even though there had been open talk about the US delivering weapons to the opposition.
The violence in Syria, which began in March 2011 as a protest movement similar to those witnessed across the Middle East and North Africa, has claimed many lives, mostly civilians, and displaced millions.
