What Can We Learn From Obama?

The Bild Newspaper interviewed Germany’s Foreign Minister, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, shortly after Barack Obama was sworn in as America’s 44th President:

Bild Zeitung (BZ): Barack Obama’s presidency began with a historic speech. What does the new President stand for?

Frank-Walter Steinmeier (FS): The entire world heard his impressive speech yesterday. He again made clear that he, as no other, stands for the American dream, for a country that creates opportunities and is constantly reinventing itself. He has developed an inspired program for economic renewal, active environmental policies and a society that doesn’t leave disadvantaged people to fend for themselves. And in the foreign policy arena, he and his new secretary of state intend to pursue policies of cooperation rather than confrontation or exclusion.

BZ: What can we learn from Obama?

FS: Barack Obama has succeeded, during this difficult time, in giving the American people hope and confidence to make courageous suggestions to solve the problems caused by the crises – that’s what we must also do in Germany. Obama wants to bring Americans together and show them that every citizen can play a part. That society only works if everyone helps. That’s what I believe as well.

BZ: Will the chances of peace in the Middle East improve with Obama as president?

FS: More partners, fewer enemies – that’s the vision Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton intend to pursue. I think we can expect very active diplomacy, especially in the Middle East. I expect the new administration to intensively engage itself right from the first day forward. That increases the chances of attaining peace. We Europeans will pull together with Washington toward this end.

BZ: What does that mean for us? What will Obama mean for Germany?

FS: Obama wants Europe and Germany to stand shoulder to shoulder with America. He made that clear in his Berlin speech, which was heard by hundreds of thousands of enthusiastic Germans. I, too, see an opportunity for a new beginning in our relationship. I’m convinced: we’ll work together well.