Background Discussion with Daniel Fried

Berlin, January 31, 2007

Ambassador Daniel Fried, Assistant Secretary of State for European Affairs in the U.S. State Department, spoke about a transatlantic agenda for the German EU presidency.

The discussion centered initially on the process of stabilizing and rebuilding Afghanistan, taking into consideration U.S. expectations of Germany and the role of NATO. Another topic was the future of Kosovo, and how the transatlantic partners should respond to the recommendations of Martti Ahtisaari, Special Envoy of the UN Secretary General to Kosovo, and associated deliberations in the Security Council. Mutual challenges facing the United States and the EU in Central Asia were also examined, as well as issues regarding a common strategy in responding to Iran's nuclear program.

Taking part in this background discussion were members of the German Bundestag, senior administrative officials, and selected think tank members.

The Körber Foundation regularly invites a small circle from within Berlin's foreign policy community to its Background Discussions. As in the larger Bergedorf Round Tables, the discussions are held in confidence and away from the public eye.