Thread by @jseldin

"We are an important base for US troops" #Germany Defense Minister @akk Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer tells #EUDefense in prerecorded interview when asked about impending US pullout

"We on German soil are also contributing to American security"

"What we are discussing is the security of the [@NATO] alliance" per @akk "If there are troop reductions in #Germany, which we regret, if the decision is being taken, then the question is where do the soldiers deploy?"

"If they were redeploying within #Europe then that would mean that the strong commitment of the United States in the transatlantic partnership and the focus on Europe would remain, and that would be an important message for @NATO" per #Germany's defense minister

"We see that #Russia is more assertive, more aggressive but I think the strength of @NATO is also that we don't play tit for tat" per #Germany DefMin @akk

"America needs allies. America need like-minded allies based on the same values and those are especially the states in #Europe" per #Germany DefMin "These states will only be able to maintain their independence & their values if they have strong defense foundations..."

"#China indeed is a systemic challenge for us...with a regime that shows you can work successfully economically without needing to have the same standards in terms of human rights" per #Germany DefMin @akk "That is a first for mankind"

On issues like #climatechange, "addressing that without #China is not possible" per #Germany DefMin @akk

"We must find a way to use our economic ties to demonstrate our views, our values...We must send clear messages"

"If we see that #China is trying to increase its influence in int'l organizations, not to further multilateralism but to push its own interests, then we must not weaken the int'l organizations" per #Germany DefMin @akk

"On the contrary, we must engage stronger there"

"It's easy & it gives you a good feeling inside if you use strong words but we also know that this approach is often one that blocks every contact & every possible influence" w/#China, per #Germany DefMin @akk, saying Germany is constantly working quietly behind the scences

#Africa #Sahel #terrorism #migrant issues exacerbated by #climatechange - "That 1st & foremost affect European security interests & that is why Europeans needs to give a stronger response" per #Germany DefMin @akk "We need to be better able to act"

"What we're lacking is a common strategic compass" per per #Germany DefMin @akk "We haven't got a common threat perception yet of how to approach operations"