Before the inaugural visit, Baerbock emphasizes partnership with the USA

Created: 01/05/2022Updated: 01/05/2022, 6:13 AM

Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock is traveling to the United States for the first time since taking office.

© Michael Sohn / Pool AP / dpa

Annalena Baerbock's first visit to the US as a minister is overshadowed by the crisis between Russia and Ukraine.

The Green politician has no doubts about the close cooperation with Washington.

Berlin / Washington - Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock underlined the importance of the transatlantic partnership against the background of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

"The more difficult the times, the more important it is to have strong partnerships - and as Europeans we have no stronger partner than the USA," said the Green politician in talks with her US counterpart Antony Blinken and the chairman of the House of Representatives before leaving for Washington. Nancy Pelosi.

It is Baerbock's first visit to the United States as a minister - and already the second personal meeting with Blinken.

The two met shortly after Baerbock took office in December at a G7 foreign ministers meeting in Liverpool.

Talks about the Ukraine crisis

The talks should focus on developments in the crisis between Russia and Ukraine.

Before her departure, Baerbock underlined that the common message from the Europeans and the US government was clear: "Russian actions are marked with a clear price tag, the only way out of the crisis is through dialogue." did.

The US has been accusing Russia of building troops in areas on the border with Ukraine for weeks.

It is feared that Russian troops could invade the ex-Soviet republic.

Russia denies any plans to invade.

The topic will be the subject of a meeting of experts from the USA and Russia on January 9th and 10th.

"Convinced Democrat"

As examples of the importance of the transatlantic relationship, Baerbock also cited the economic sector and dealing with the climate crisis. “The strength of the transatlantic alliance is not measured in tanks and missiles, but first and foremost in the fact that we pull together when it matters - that is, when basic norms of international law have to be defended and we have to stand up for our common values. "The Foreign Minister added:" We are determined to act together to protect the European peace order. "

One day before the first anniversary of the storm on the Capitol, she is not only traveling to Washington as foreign minister, "but also as a staunch democrat and parliamentarian," said Baerbock.

The European Union and the group of leading democratic economic powers (G7) share the goal of strengthening democracies and making them more resistant to internal and external threats.

She will also discuss this with Pelosi.

Supporters of the then incumbent US President Donald Trump stormed the seat of the US Congress in the capital Washington on January 6, 2021 - whipped by Trump himself.

Dispute about Nord Stream 2

The controversial German-Russian natural gas pipeline Nord Stream 2, which has always been a thorn in the side of the USA, harbors potential for discord in the transatlantic relationship. In addition to EU partner countries, the Greens in the Ampel coalition have also expressed their skepticism about the already completed twin line under the Baltic Sea. Unlike Baerbock, Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) emphasizes that the Federal Network Agency's pending decision on commissioning is apolitical, it is a private-sector project.

"The green threat not to use Nord Stream 2 harms Germany in particular," said Bavaria's Prime Minister Markus Söder (CSU) of the dpa.

"Because when gas prices rise sharply, Germany depends on a secure gas supply." After the change of government in Berlin, "a situation of uncertainty" and "a naive and insecure green foreign policy" is to be feared, especially in relation to Russia.

Söder said that concerns about an expansion of the conflict in Ukraine are justified - but: “We must not talk ourselves into an escalation.

We now need fewer threats, but more talks and diplomacy. ”One problem is that“ the traffic light speaks with two voices here.

That weakens the European concern. "

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Foreign politician Omid Nouripour, who is running for the presidency of the Greens, told the newspapers of the Funke media group before Baerbock's visit to the USA: "The Europeans must strive for their own sovereignty." There are voices in the USA calling for complete decoupling from China.

“That is neither desirable nor realistic.” The European interests are not congruent with the American ones.

"Nevertheless, it is of great importance to maintain and deepen a partnership based on shared values ​​- regardless of who is currently in the Oval Office and in the Chancellery." Dpa