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  Germany Offers Obama Deeper Partnership: 'The US and Europe Standing Shoulder to Shoulder'

Germany Offers Obama Deeper Partnership 'The US and Europe Standing Shoulder to Shoulder'

By Frank-Walter Steinmeier

Part 2: Shared Security from Vancouver to Vladivostock

2. Working Towards Security in Both East and West

The end of the Cold War, 20 years ago, was followed by major plans -- for a pan-European peace order, a zone of shared security stretching across the whole northern hemisphere, from Vancouver to Vladivostok. We are unfortunately still a long way from achieving these aims. Cold War thinking not only still hangs over us like shadows of the past. That thinking still seems to control some peoples' minds. Mistrust reigns instead of confidence and joint action for the future.

Dear Barack Obama, you are part of a new generation. In 1989, when the Wall fell, you were 28 years old, and are thus less influenced by the categories of the Cold War than any of your predecessors. On the contrary, in your Berlin speech you called for an end to Cold War mindsets and for all of us to strive for a partnership encompassing the entire continent, including Russia.

Let us take Russia's President Medvedev at his word. He too comes from a new generation, being four years your junior. He too has put forward proposals. Let us talk confidently about how a new security architecture might look. Let us together consider new structures for the global era, without expecting results to happen overnight, and without questioning what has been the solid basis of our security over the past decades: We will continue to need NATO in the future. But too often we have postponed an honest debate about tasks by concentrating on enlargement and related issues. Today we need a new fundamental understanding on where the Alliance is headed -- something like a new Harmel Report, with which NATO, 40 years ago, reoriented itself during a critical phase in its history.

In a first concrete step we must regain lost confidence, for example with joint disarmament initiatives. The Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE) must be urgently reformed and preserved. On nuclear disarmament, too, we need movement from both the Russian and American sides. Only when Russia and the US take the lead will we be able to effectively counter the uncontrolled proliferation of nuclear weapons.

My impression is that you are thinking very much along the same lines. Let me tell you that here, too, you have a partner in us.

3. For a Global Community of Shared Responsibility

We live at a time in which the world's balance is changing. New powers in Asia, Africa and Latin America are coming onto the global stage. They will lessen the relative weight of the US and the West as a whole. The world of the future will have many voices. Our task must be to make sure this does not lead to a new "tower of Babel" situation.

We will only resolve the central issues facing mankind if we integrate these new powers into a global system of responsibility and make them reliable members of a new order. Only if they sit at eye level with us at the global table will they be prepared to accept global rules.

The world financial summit in Washington was a new start in this regard. The major "old" and "new" powers worked as equal partners on a framework for a new global financial system.

I will do what I can to ensure that we continue along this route -- not just on financial issues. We must expand the G-8 wisely and in so doing include the new emerging powers in a community of shared responsibility.

The global era requires new thinking. Everyone, every country, bears responsibility, not just locally and nationally, but also for our one world, for example regarding climate protection. Here we look to your country. Only if the US plays an active role will the talks on a new post-2012 climate protection agreement be successful. That is why we have high hopes and expectations of the turnaround in energy and climate policy you announced for your country -- away from oil towards renewable energies and greater energy efficiency. I feel the time has come for a close transatlantic energy and climate partnership, at political level, but also with joint development of new technologies. On climate protection, too, we can achieve the most if we act together.

4. "Change Has Come to America"

Who does not recall your moving address during the night after your election victory? Like no-one else you stand for change and a new beginning in your country, for social and ecological modernization, for greater opportunities through education, for a fairer health system, for a society where no-one is left behind, for determined action in a crisis.

Many people all over the world therefore feel they have a bond with you, also here in Germany.

"And to all those watching tonight from beyond our shores ... our stories are singular, but our destiny is shared ..." -- this message, expressed in your victory speech, was directed not only towards America, but towards the whole world: Let us work together to shape our future.

That is music to our ears! We are looking forward to working with you and your Secretary of State. Welcome, President Obama!

Yours,

Frank-Walter Steinmeier

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