Premier Malu Dreyer & Chargée d’affaires a.i., Robin S. Quinville – Picture by Staatskanzlei RLP, Schäfer.
Wednesday, 9 September 2020, Mainz, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany: “Rhineland-Palatinate has very strong ties with the United States – we can look back on more than 100 years of shared history, from which a strong friendship and partnership has grown in many areas,” emphasised Premier Malu Dreyer as per statement below in its original German version during the maiden visit of US Chargée d’affaires a.i., Robin Suzanne Quinville, to the State Chancellery.
“We are in constant and trusting communication with the US Embassy (in Berlin), as well as the US Consulate General and the US forces. This is particularly important in difficult times like the current ones”, said the Premier Dreyer.
During the amiable exchange, Chargée d’affaires Quinville underlined the continuing importance and strength of German-American relations, especially in times of common challenges such as the Covid-19 crisis as well as the importance of continuing the transatlantic dialogue.
“The State Government remains committed to the presence of US forces in Rhineland-Palatinate. It has been a very important part of international security policy for decades. And during this time, countless friendships have developed.” Premier Dreyer also emphasised the latter to top US envoy Robin S. Quinville during their tête-à-tête.
Last July, the US government announced that it intends to withdraw 11,900 soldiers and military personnel from Germany. In Rhineland-Palatinate the withdrawal concerns Spangdahlem Air Base. However, a high-ranking representative of the US forces has now assured the premier that the air base shall not be shut down.
There are currently about 18,500 American soldiers stationed in Rhineland-Palatinate. There are also about 12,000 US civilian employees and about 25,000 family members live in the state. In addition, the US forces stationed in Rhineland-Palatinate employ some 7,200 local civilian personnel. This makes them one of the largest employers in the state and they are not only of particular economic importance in the communities in which they are based.
A further topic of discussion was the NATO‘s network as means to preserve transatlantic peace.
For further information
Government of Rhineland-Palatinate: https://www.rlp.de/de/pressemitteilungen/einzelansicht/news/News/detail/ministerpraesidentin-malu-dreyer-betont-bedeutung-der-us-streitkraefte-fuer-rheinland-pfalz/
