we are all aware of this relationship and the 24 century needs to be restructured, the world changing we have to change accordingly so we have to renew our partnership time again and appointed to the fact in this very brief term of office of the new american president obama we had a minute exchanges, will have the same, we had in asia summit, the eu meeting, we were two in the primer of the teetwenty and only a few days will need for the g8 and talk about climate change and in the autumn of this year we shall have, for example a.g. 20 meeting in pittsburgh. i believe that 2009 is a crucial year. a year that is crucial for how the world will coexist and turn out to be in the future. there are many challenges ahead

for all of us in the senator hagel was right in saying, there is no country in the world that will be able to go alone. that will be able to solve the great challenges alone. this is what it's so important that we look after our relationships, that we nurture them and also from time to time take time out to wonder what is so special about the transatlantic partnership. what is special in these to me is we each share the same values, the same basic values. we don't need to talk a great length about what we understand with respect to human rights and human dignity. that is our common foundation if you like. and the fact that we stand firmly on this common ground, on this common foundation that has always been incidentally common ground among chancellors of germany and presidents of the

united states and incidentally also of congressmen and governors, that is something that we need to keep and it is also something where the dignity of each individual needs to be guiding our young. but we also are aware of the fact that such a basis of shared values is simply not enough in order to turn this into practical success, practical worth. what is also apparent in the 23 century we as europeans have become more closely integrated then we have in the beginning of the federal republic of germany, sometimes seen as a complicated bunch of people by outsiders. it is still interesting when you look at the nuances of the individual is european countries, the way that individual heads of states of european countries look at matters quite differently but you may rest assured that we understood in a world of an

6.5 million people we as europeans have to learn the decisive lesson to spake with one voice. we are about 500 people which means we carry quite a lot of political and economic weight. we will prove ourselves to be good and reliable partners for the united states of america and trans-atlantic partnership. there will be quite a lot of others i think whom we will be able to follow us. these are two sides and one of the same coin it. we have the task on one hand to work with the deepening of the european union, we have been working on a reform treaty that ran this us more capable of action with 27 member states and there is a good chance the question that has been mentioned quite often to is the person to call when i want to know something about the direction of one policy or perhaps the easier to be answered in the future,

there will be a president of the council and the heads of state as somebody to continuously changing presidency is as interlocutor. in i would encourage you not to come to germany more but go to brussels, but if you in the future try and find an interlocutor -- interlocutor you have a better chance of having the person to talk to and that is something that we need to do together. looking at the emerging powers such as china, india, brazil, we have to a ballot that the group of in g8 industrialized countries will not be able to solve these great challenges so they will be an interesting process and the next few years. what will be the form and structure and composition of such a new group?

who will be those incorporating antibody in the trans-atlantic partnership? i think the teetwenty is a very format interesting because it denies the gang5 any emerging economies and i also think that the united states of america and europe ought to be driving and the ones who give this process momentum and commits others to join in. we now have a unique chance with a new administration in the united states looking at a loss of a conflict which were also on the edge of this and previous administrations. i often talked about this with george bush to give an impetus to a number of matters. it was with great interest in gratification i was able to see president obama was pushing open the doors and forging ahead in many areas in the middle east conflict, afghanistan, iran and

unmentioned other areas, mentioning for example economic issue but also climate change. so he is trying to open up new perspectives, and use and new opportunities and tried to bring about solutions. i have vital interest in seeing this policy being crowned by success, making progress because what is important here to is to prove that our values that we share are still valid in this world of the 21st century, will gain ground also an acceptance among other nations. or the other forms of government which don't always correspond to the way we see respect and dignity of man, that is something that i don't want them to win over if you like. we are proud of our way of life, we are proud of our values, we

do ought not want to oppose them on others but want to convince them to follow the example. ladies and gentlemen, there are different issues where i was like to go into further detail and security policy in fiscal and economic policy and climate policy and with regard to security policy what is at stake is to try to integrate european and transatlantic structure. the european security and foreign policy needs to be incorporated in nato policy and nato policies to be compatible with what we're doing and the european level by way of security and foreign policy. in many ways we have made progress and been more successful in the this about in the past but there are still in number of it chasms that need to be bridged, and number of obstacles amended to be relieved. let us remind of a complex between turkey en three's and things don't always run smoothly

and integration of of defense policy and nato policy. we need to work on this because it is an obstacle to us and we're also facing enormous challenges looking at the nuclear program of north korea, iran and also the challenges in afghanistan and pakistan. fighting piracy on the horn of africa. addressing the issue of failing states, all for example, the share one suffering of people seemingly encouraging both dictators, the one who is a ruling in darfur. let us remind ourselves also the situation in iran. i think we are saying be it. america and europe or in germany that we are deeply moved by the fact and also dismayed by the fact how this regime treats

peaceful demonstrators. we are for peaceful demonstrations, for freedom of expression, we think is necessary to respect the will of the people and see to its that the election results can and can be reviewed. this immediately touches the issue of respect for human rights and dignity of the individual. doesn't mean this is limited to certain individuals but a universal principle that goes to each and every individual and this is why we are standing shoulder to shoulder with those who fight for their rights. we all of us need to do everything we can in order to see to it that iran does not get a nuclear weapon, does not in possession of that. i very much welcome the readiness of the united states for direct talks. it will be by your side however i should say in making either

the talks successful or seem to lead to sanctions that will bring us closer to the goal we have been pursuing because we are very much aware of the threats iranian president has issued for the federal republic of germany, the rights of israel to exist is part of a state. ladies and gentleman, we all have a vital interest in seeing the peace process between the palestinians and israelis becoming too successful we has we have many setbacks and frustrations and disappointments pieta president bush. we have not made any headway wanted to make and this is why it's so important that we show great determination and resolve to bring about a two-stage solution. and that we see to it that this is brought to a successful

conclusion. sometimes when one looks at how long we have already taken to turn certain things into reality one may even despair and say will we be successful in the end but let me remind all of us how long we had to wait for the cold war to end. so many years radio station in germany again and again and said in a very short time it would collapse and when most had given up hope it finally happened so it would be very wrong in the to allow oneself to be diverted from that particular goal even though it may take a long time to reach kids and afghanistan we are facing great challenges jointly throughout the years and together with this new administration we have made in a prince stepped the right direction and. we have acknowledged an

agreement on having to adopt a comprehensive security term where there is a civilian component and literary component that mutually are complementary but also have to say that without this component will not be able to carry the day. we will as germany give our contribution as i already have done in the past. what is a great worry to all of us and take a closer look at is this ability of pakistan. one of the great worries the world has. the european union and pakistan and dialogue just recently in talks with the representatives of the pack as any parent are open and how can we guarantee militancy in this is why we stand ready to work together with our partners in the united states with the right solutions. i don't want to go through a

long list of conflicts throughout the world today but i like to underline and that's a common approach in foreign and security policy for many years has been a great strong underpinning relationship and continue to be that way. and toss with russia will gain in importance over the next two weeks and months. russia may very well be our partner and the me tell you that from a european perspective we have a vital interest in seeing them, but russia will then also need to come somewhat closer to the way that we see human rights and certain other basic rights of the individual. we have come this year to a very unusual situation and this is why i would like to place a second priority in my remarks

here on the financial crisis. and let me tell you again, such a crisis must not be allowed to repeat itself again because it has been deeply disturbing to the and economy the world over and has even shaken such seemingly and unshakable countries such as united states to the core and the emerging countries and if we are not able to address these matters, it may give rise to it in number of conflicts that will make your work complicated. i think there is no doubt about the fact that the root cause of this crisis has been excessive on the market place and if there is no doubt about the fact that we need a more stringent rule of

regulation but social market economy that has made germany so successful was actually developed as a consequence of the world economic crisis and the end of the 20 of, those who have the time to devise this model market economy. agreed on the fact that these situations where the possibilities to heal itself will not be sufficient for you need a certain framework for example address in this situation of our bank system. banks have to be nationalized research and time and then released into a free-market economy. what we have seen is that markets need to have a certain guidelines and framework. one that will suffocate the

market but makes competition more transparent. the question how we actually address this crisis and the one cause of that and what sort of measures we adopted an order to address the consequences, that will depend in on the way that we do this will depend very much whether we will gain global acceptance for the way we do business in the way we live or not. i the guy had successful meeting in london where we now implement the rules and regulations that were about to decide and europe or that you decide in the united states is something that lends me to ask, i don't know what that the banks have fully understood what sort of a fax

their actions have caused and whether the sentence were too big to fail might well rendered banks over confident. i would like to say states need to show to their citizens have that the economy is to serve the people and not that people need to be subservient to the economy. we need to make more of a result of the right track. we have not been able to solve all the problems but we need our multinational is a tuitions that in this global world are at greater risk whether the financial stability border or imf is something we need to further deliberate. i think, however, we are on and the right track. you know that i have come strongly in favor of an the u.s. administration is going to also place on the agenda of a charter

for sustainable economics or we stipulate clearly what our principles are mainly not go for easy money or for the shore to gain, but to inject more of a sense of sustainability and the way that we do this. turn it into a part of our economic activity and again the way we do our business. this year we will be faced and this brings me to the third priority with the issue whether the world as able to agree on a post kyoto regime on climate change and tomorrow there will be an interesting vote in the house of representatives and i think that you have, indeed, a far-reaching bill to discuss and vote on, who would have thought this would be possible to or three years ago so there raise the possibility for change.

senator lieberman quite happily showed me 98 may have votes on kyoto and the question what about the two others along quite disappointing for a young minister, and the environment and the time and did a lot to promote the kyoto protocol and there has never been in that close as we are now. we may well make further progress but we have come a long way and so as you are here today the supportive of of your colleagues in the house of representatives are doing because these are important goals we feel and it also important to pick the right

instruments to address this issue. maybe the most far-reaching step may be the one where you say you would opt for an auction their cert. and i know how difficult this is, we are one of the leading industrial countries. we have brown coal power plants. i know very well how tricky this issue is but i think the bottom line is the good instrument to create a level playing field for competition in. i think we have to do everything we can in order to make this a success because there is more to it than the question of adopting some reduction time and principles because many people are attracted by its. and increasing certification and other countries where there is a lack of drinking water.

we had to prove that we are serious about promoting the idea of sustainability globally and this is why i will do everything i can also together with our partners in the united states to make progress. it i know there are still a few here and there who don't believe in the issue. our independence of finances also be cold, and gas or natural oil is going to be crucial in a world where emerging countries have more and more needed. in will be necessary also to be politically independent and not be dependent on the role -- wrong kind of people even though you may have doubt whether the scientists are right. i think they are right. it is still certainly a better

policy to opt for a vote carbon economy which promotes prosperity and xm this new technological data and discoveries. you can also save energy and keep your house cooler. we have also opted. it is a tremendously important message that this transatlantic economic economic council that we initiated together to the leadership of president bush will be continued with the new administration with the european union. i have great hopes in this counsel. we are spending so much money and having different ways of testing cars and biofuels in the future instead of developing,

norms. of the money saved there can be reinvested enjoined in research projects so let me wish all of us on all of these different domains and these different areas the best pop pill cooperation. on behalf of the government end of the people back home in germany, we want this cooperation in all areas. we know how important it is two have an ally, we know that after the division of germany rescinded and is reunited germany has been accepted by all we know that we have more obligations, not only rights. we have come a long way and we know that we still have a long way to go. of like to thank all of those whom they have always believed in this partnership a word of

thanks to you so thank you very much and the best to all of you. [applause]

now the senate health committee continues lettuce and a markup of a comprehensive health-care bill. senator chris dodd and cheers this 98 minute meeting. >> good morning everyone, the committee will come to order. we gather again to consider the health care provisions and we think again my colleagues who have put in a lot of work and i'm grateful everyone in the midst of the demanding schedules here. obviously votes another committee responsibilities every member has and i'm grateful to senator enzi who has sat. virtually every session to work through this and my colleagues as well. just to mention a couple

housekeeping matters with eminence agreed to in title i of the bill but not touched on time one we have to do that we have had accepted an 85 of our eminence of the republicans signed by unanimous consent and another 17 and then once worked out in the long term care section. my hope to deal with that section and i hope that our not bring up a section and not have scored a. and while cbo scores with some real savings which we have proposed up to now the scoring requires not only that to get numbers from cbo but also joint tax. the numbers we got from cbo we cannot get the joint tax and they have not scored it and so will not ask us to do that although senator gregg want to make comments about the session generally. there are 17 eminence we have

agreed to and i commend the staff to have work to reach an agreement on those amendments and so will have to go back to the session. again as i promised earlier will not ask colleagues to support a vote on a section we did not have the scoring for. this morning the cbo says the sections saves us that we have written $59 billion over 10 years. whether joint tax will agree i can say yet but at least indications early on we have some savings in that section. so there has been tremendous progress here. i know we have had a some eight or nine markup sessions already over the last two weeks and our intention would be two have language to our colleagues on remaining sections we would not brand language for by the very first of the week on the pay or play ball on biologics as well

as on the for lack of a better description of the public auction idea. so we have an least a week to review that and consider amendments so before we come back the following week tried to finish up over the remaining days the sections. but that i that we have done title two, three, four and at least part of title five already is something i appreciate very much. i realize there has not been complete agreement on all these matters but we have put the time in this and this is the face of that will involve phases before this and up close to a final product and there's a lot more work to be done and i'd like to begin work at the finance committee over this prank on matters we have completed to see about the melding of these ideas with them and start that conversation. there has been a lot but would be helpful to go further and with that in return to senator

enzi for comments and i know senator gregg would like to make comments. we will do that and then go to senator harkin has to it eminence we haven't reached agreement on in areas already. >> i will defer to senator greg this is his ranking member on the budget committee looks at the scores for us and would give probably some comments where we are today where we are going. >> well, i appreciate the chairman's decision not to go forward because we don't have a joint tax and don't have jurisdiction over the tax section it but it's important but the context of the cbo scoring in context. context, because what the class act is creating is a brand new entitlement and brand new