Foreign Minister Gabriel before flying to Washington

 Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel made the following statement last night (1 February) before flying to Washington:

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The United States has always been our closest ally outside Europe. While the friendship between two nations is much more than constructive cooperation between their governments, good relations between governments based on mutual trust are essential.            

The world will not wait for us. There are pressing issues on the international agenda which require close liaison between Germany and America, as well as between Europe and America. There are questions we want to ask the new US Administration about its foreign policy, its relationship to the Alliance and the world order.                  

I am therefore keen to meet my counterpart Rex Tillerson soon and am delighted by his invitation to Washington.               

Nothing – no telephone call, no video conference and no meeting on the margins of a major conference – can substitute a conversation in person.                

I hope for a direct and personal exchange and take with me to Washington the offer of friendship and trust.              

We want to explain to our American partners our view of things, our interests and values and are seeking a good, frank and friendly dialogue.

from
http://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/EN/Infoservice/Presse/Meldungen/2017/170202_BM_Gabriel_reist_nach_Washington.html?nn=479796