In looking toward the 48th Munich Security Conference, which will take place from February 3-5, 2012, Secretary of Defense Dr. Thomas de Maiziére addressed an audience of about 200 Atlantik-Brücke members and guests on February 1 in Berlin with remarks on current themes in security politics and the state of the transatlantic security partnership and its future. His speech and the subsequent discussion with diplomats and experts from the fields of politics, business, military education and the media stood under the title “Security and Defense. The cornerstones and outcomes of sound transatlantic relations” .

One focus of Secretary de Maiziére’s speech was in addressing concerns about the relevance of transatlantic and particularly German-American relations in the face of the United States’ “Pacific Century”. De Maiziére assured that the common “spirit of conscience and leadership”, or community of values, that Europe shares with the US has only increased the relevance and strength of transatlantic relations over time as well as tightened the bond of NATO. Though the Pacific realm is currently drawing focus and attention, it is no substitution for Europe; Europe will definitely be needed in following and responding to developments in conflict hot spots worldwide. At the same time, de Maiziére emphasized that Europe must sell its strengths and prove why partnership with Europe lies in the interests of the US and other world players.

A further focus of the Secretary’s address was Germany’s role in global and transatlantic security politics. According to de Maiziére, Germany is and will remain the strongest and most attractive partner for security policy within Europe. However, it is key is to ask how and where Germany should lead. De Maiziére discussed Germany’s financial and economic strengths but also emphasized the political challenges involved in deciding what role these strengths should play in security policy.

Further themes of the discussion included the development of a European security policy as well as how the issue of cyber security may alter the role of transatlantic security partnerships.

Introductory remarks were offered by Ambassador Wolfgang Ischinger, Chairman of the Munich Security Conference and Global Head of Government Relations at Allianz SE, as well as by Friedrich Merz, Chairman of Atlantik-Brücke e.V. The discussion was moderated by Prof. Dr. Burkhard Schwenker, Vice-Chairman of Atlantik-Brücke e.V.