Westerwelle arrives in US for talks with Clinton
Guido Westerwelle, Germany’s new foreign minister, arrived in the United States on Wednesday evening for talks with his American counterpart Hillary Clinton. They are expected to discuss the war in Afghanistan and the surprise decision by General Motors not to sell its German unit Opel.
Westerwelle, who is still in the first weeks of his new job, described the United States as the “most important partner to Germany outside of Europe.” He also said he hopes to express “what important meaning the government attaches to the German-American relationship.”
In addition to meeting with Secretary of State Clinton, Westerwelle is also scheduled to visit a list of influential US senators.
The German foreign minister has said he aims to bring up the question of removing remaining US nuclear weapons from Germany. Some 20 warheads are thought to be located in the state of Rhineland-Palatinate, though the numbers have not been officially confirmed.
Westerwelle’s visit follows close on the heels of a US trip by Chancellor Angela Merkel early in the week, where she gave a historic address to a joint session of US Congress. She also meet US President Barack Obama for talks at the White House.
He is expected back in Berlin on Friday.
Comments
See Also
Westerwelle, who is still in the first weeks of his new job, described the United States as the “most important partner to Germany outside of Europe.” He also said he hopes to express “what important meaning the government attaches to the German-American relationship.”
In addition to meeting with Secretary of State Clinton, Westerwelle is also scheduled to visit a list of influential US senators.
The German foreign minister has said he aims to bring up the question of removing remaining US nuclear weapons from Germany. Some 20 warheads are thought to be located in the state of Rhineland-Palatinate, though the numbers have not been officially confirmed.
Westerwelle’s visit follows close on the heels of a US trip by Chancellor Angela Merkel early in the week, where she gave a historic address to a joint session of US Congress. She also meet US President Barack Obama for talks at the White House.
He is expected back in Berlin on Friday.
Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.
Please log in here to leave a comment.