Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier described US President Joe Biden as a “beacon of democracy” and expressed Germany’s gratitude to him for his long-standing interest in the country and Europe. “Together we can achieve great things”, said the American president and thanked Germany for the relationship of trust and cooperation in international crises.

For Germany, “friendship with the United States was, is now and always will be existentially important – both for our security and for our democracy,” Mr. Steinmeier said during Joe Biden’s visit to the Bellevue Presidential Palace and recalled that the current president had visited Germany when he was 40 years old and at the time, a German diplomat had noted in his report: “This senator is keenly interested in Germany and it seems that he may have an important political future.” “Important? Only; Today you are the 46th president of the United States. Under your leadership the transatlantic alliance is stronger than ever and our cooperation is closer than ever,” the German president emphasized, adding: “What connects us is much deeper than the news of the day. What binds us is freedom, democracy and the rule of law. What unites us is the belief that if liberal democracy is to have a future in this troubled world, we must secure it together. And what binds us together are the lessons from our past – sacred lessons.”

Mr Steinmeier also referred indirectly to Donald Trump’s tenure, during which the two sides drifted apart. “But when you were elected President, you restored Europe’s hope in the transatlantic alliance literally overnight. And then, just a year later, came (Vladimir) Putin’s war. When Putin invaded Ukraine, he wasn’t just going after one country. He attacked the very principles of peace in Europe. Putin thought we would be weak. He thought we would fall apart. But the opposite was true: NATO was stronger and more united than ever before – and this is largely due to your leadership”, continued the federal president and underlined that “having you – in our most dangerous moment since the Cold War – and your government on our side is nothing short of historic good fortune. For us here in Europe, the last two years have shown once again: America really is the necessary nation. But they also showed something else: NATO is the necessary alliance.”

In the coming months, Mr. Steinmeier pointed out, “I hope the Europeans remember that America is essential to us, but I also hope the Americans remember that your allies are essential to you.” Referring to the presidential elections in November, he clarified that they are clearly an American decision and was quick to assure that the Europeans will continue to support Ukraine and support the transatlantic alliance – “no matter what”.

Concluding his speech, Frank-Walter Steinmeier highlighted the US president’s commitment to safeguarding democratic values ​​and described him as a “beacon of democracy” at a time when democracy is under pressure in many parts of the world. “Your decency is a light that shines far and surely reaches the hearts of the Germans. As the President of the USA, you command the most powerful military, lead the largest economy in the world. But perhaps the most valuable service to democracy, the happiest and most reassuring thing for people is to know that even this most powerful man in the world is – after all – a fundamentally decent human being,” said Frank-Walter Steinmeier, somewhat before awarding the US president the Grand Cross of the Order of Merit, the highest honor of Federal Germany.

Mr. Biden was visibly moved to accept the medal, saying it means a lot to him. “It confirms our common journey, how we stand together as nations,” he noted, also referring to his trip to West Berlin as a new senator and the close relationship he had developed with Helmut Schmidt. He also described the fall of the Wall as “one of humanity’s greatest steps forward”.

Joking about his age being a factor in his decision not to seek re-election, Joe Biden said: “Even though I only look 40, I’ve lived quite a bit of history”.

With an eye on Ukraine, the US president warned of a “difficult winter” and stressed the need for the country to “remain strong” in its defense against Russian aggression. “We must not abandon the promised continued support to Ukraine. We must continue until Ukraine wins and a lasting peace is achieved,” he said and expressed his appreciation for Germany’s stance in this crisis. “Together we can achieve great things. Thank you very much,” he concluded.