Tuesday, 7th June 2022, Mainz, Rhineland-Palatinate: Premier Malu Dreyer received the novel U.S. Ambassador Dr. Amy Gutmann for her inaugural visit to the State Chancellery. Topics of the get-to-know-you meeting included the consequences of the Russian war of aggression on Ukraine, cooperation with U.S. forces in the country as well as the successful cooperation between BioNTech and Pfizer in the development and production of the Corona vaccine.
“Rhineland-Palatinate and the United States have a longstanding relationship of partnership and trust. The approximately 50,000 U.S. citizens (members of the U.S. Armed Forces, U.S. civilian employees as well as their family members) who live with us with their families in good neighborliness and friendship shape parts of our country. The major security challenges resulting from the Russian invasion, which violates international law, clearly show the importance of close cooperation between NATO partners and the significance of U.S. bases in Europe,” said premier Dreyer in her statement available in its original German language below. It is our common task to further strengthen transatlantic relations. Only in this way will it be possible to protect peace, freedom and democracy.
U.S. Ambassador Dr. Amy Gutmann said, “We are very grateful to Rhineland-Palatinate for the hospitality that our servicemen and women experience with you every day. Germany and Rhineland-Palatinate are indispensable partners for us to meet the current challenges in Europe and the world, such as the defense of democracy, support for Ukraine, which is under attack by Russia, climate protection and, especially important for me, the lively exchange of young students as a basis for further strengthening our relations. Also, we will always remember the excellent support in the context of the Afghanistan evacuation in August 2021.”
Premier Malu Dreyer emphasized the close exchange between the state and local levels and the U.S. Armed Forces. Likewise, she said, the state government maintains ongoing contacts with the U.S. government and promotes cooperation in areas such as science and education. “Sixty-seven schools maintain a school partnership with the United States. The state’s colleges and universities cooperate with many institutions in the United States. For example, Johannes Gutenberg University in Mainz alone has ties to 23 U.S. universities and research institutions,” the premier said.
The close ties between Rhineland-Palatinate and the U.S. are also visible in the economic sphere and in trade relations, she added. “Even though exports declined slightly in 2020 and 2021 due to the Corona pandemic, the U.S. is still the most important customer for Rhineland-Palatinate exports, ahead of France,” said Premier Malu Dreyer. A beacon of successful German-American cooperation, she said, is BioNTech-Pfizer’s success in vaccine production, which is saving lives all over the world.
Dr. Amy Gutmann became the first woman to hold the office of U.S. ambassador to the Federal Republic of Germany in February 2022. She served as president of the University of Pennsylvania from 2004 to 2022. In 2009, she was appointed by U.S. President Obama to chair the President’s Commission on Bioethics, which she led for seven years. She is an award-winning author and editor of 17 books on ethical aspects of constitutional democracy, education, health care, and human rights.
For further information
Government of Rhineland-Palatinate: https://www.rlp.de/de/pressemitteilungen/einzelansicht/news/News/detail/malu-dreyer-und-us-botschafterin-dr-amy-gutmann-betonen-bedeutung-transatlantischer-beziehungen/
20 yeas Representation of Rhineland-Palatinate to the German Federation: https://diplomatmagazine.eu/2021/02/07/the-representation-of-the-state-of-rhineland-palatinate-in-berlin-celebrates-its-20th-anniversary/
