Photo: DHM/Henry Ries
In the Berlin Airlift, the allied forces fed the city for a yearThe site of the new US Embassy, less than fifty metres from the Brandenburg Gate, has great symbolic value. Palais Blücher, the building bought by the US in 1931 to use as an embassy, stood on the very same site.The Palais was badly damaged during the war and the East German government had it demolished. Until 1989, the site formed part of the no-man’s land in the shadow of the Berlin Wall.
Following German unification, the US government decided to build its new embassy on the site of its former premises. The new building pays homage to America’s friendship with Germany and its people.
Joint action in tackling global challenges
Photo: REGIERUNGonline/Müller
The new US Embassy on Pariser PlatzChancellor Merkel emphasised the strength of the transnational partnership between the US and Europe. She said she was convinced that "global challenges cannot be addressed at national level", adding that combating hunger, terrorism and climate change calls for joint action. NATO is the right address in matters of transatlantic security policy even if such policy is then supplemented and underpinned by the EU, she said.
Of course, the transatlantic partnership goes way beyond common security policy: it rests of four strong pillars. The Chancellor thus called for "more synergies", saying that a joint approach could be especially fruitful when it comes to energy efficiency and protecting the environment against the impacts of climate change. "Our economies are the most innovative in the world", said Merkel.
Common values
Photo: Regierungonline/Bergmann
Georg Bush Senior attends the ceremonyMerkel praised the "sound friendship" between the US and Germany. "We share the same values", she said. These include respect for human rights, independence and freedom. The Chancellor stressed that we must never cease in telling the younger generation "how important it is to fight for what you believe in".
At the opening of the new US Embassy on the 4th of July, America’s Day of Independence, Chancellor Merkel was flanked by former US President George Bush Senior and US Ambassador William Timken. The celebrations continued on Saturday with an American festival near the Brandenburg Gate.
Located at No. 2 Pariser Platz, the new US Embassy was designed by a team lead by architects Moore, Ruble and Yudell, whose offices are based in Santa Monica, California. The building has four floors and an attic, offering some 14,000 square metres of office, conference and exhibition space.
