Trying to keep a society together, trying to keep the older and the younger people together, trying to keep those who live in rural areas together with those who live in cities is one of the most important and most noble tasks of politicians these days.

Our bilateral relations are very good, they’re very close. In the areas of business, of the economy, the United States of America last year were our most important trading partner.

Ever since Germany was able to regain its unity, it is in an even stronger position to give its contribution to upholding this order to which we feel committed and for which particularly people in the German Democratic Republic stood out there on the streets to keep this up, to maintain this order.

I approach this with - with an open mind and I'll do it on the basis of a deep conviction with President-elect Donald Trump.

Neither the chains of dictatorship nor the fetters of oppression can keep down the forces of freedom for long.

An institution like Guantanamo in its present form cannot and must not exist in the long term. We must find different ways of dealing with prisoners. As far as I'm concerned there's no question about that.

The US military has achieved a decisive blow against al-Qaeda with its commando action against Osama Bin Laden and his killing.