Over 200 heads of German missions abroad, along with high-ranking representatives from business, political and cultural sectors attended the conference. Minister Steinmeier opened the conference along with guest of honor Parag Khanna of the New America Foundation. Minister Steinmeier made it clear at the beginning of his speech that the responsibility for the foreign policy of Germany is “not a question of will, but a description of reality” and that against this background, Germany decided to take over the Organization of Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) chairmanship, a position of responsibility for the security of Europe.

Steinmeier called on the ambassadors present to help shape the international order of the future. As examples, he mentioned the upcoming Climate Change Conference in Paris and the Summit of the United Nations, where the “2030 Agenda” new sustainable development goals will be announced.

Ambassador of the United States of America in Germany, His Excellency John B Emerson, also spoke at the conference. He discussed the role that ambassadors play in cross-currents of conflict and crisis, trade and commerce, technology and innovation, and ethnicity and religion. He also commented on the German-American relationship and how he was proud of both nations and the work they have done together. Ambassador Emerson said that he was looking forward to the German chairmanship of the OSCE, stating that “the importance of partners leading together is illustrated by the Iran nuclear negotiations, the ongoing T-TIP negotiations, and the joint response … to Ukrainian crisis”. His Excellency Emerson ended his speech by stating that America and Germany are closely linked by an extraordinary spirit of cooperation, defined by the principles of responsible and forward-looking leadership that is shared.

• References: https://de-de.facebook.com/usbotschaftberlin

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