U.S.-Germany Joint Statement

Following their bilateral meeting, President Clinton and Chancellor Kohl addressed the media at The Chancellory in Bonn, Germany. Chancellor Kohl spoke of the friendship and partnership between the United States and Germany and of the American soldiers who, for more than 40 years, defended freedom, peace, and security in Germany. He emphasized that German security and the future of Germany rests on two pillars: (1) the unification of Europe and (2) the transatlantic partnership and friendship. Kohl said he is grateful that the presence of American soldiers in Germany and in the whole of Europe will be maintained. President Clinton said that he and Chancellor Kohl discussed several issues including the effort to integrate the new independent nations of Central and Eastern Europe; the departure of American and Russian forces from places in Germany where they have been since 1945; the importance of expanding joint military exercises with other allies through the Partnership for Peace; an close