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Release
Immediate Release

Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin's Call With German Federal Minister of Defence Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer

Jan. 27, 2021

Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby provided the following readout:

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III spoke by phone with German Minister of Defence Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer to reinforce the value the United States places on the bilateral defense relationship with one of our closest NATO Allies.  

Secretary Austin and Minister Kramp-Karrenbauer exchanged views on areas for stronger U.S.-Germany cooperation on global challenges, including COVID-19, force posture in Afghanistan and Iraq, and combatting the malign influence of our shared strategic rivals.

Secretary Austin expressed his gratitude to Germany for continuing to serve as a great host for U.S. forces, and expressed his desire for a continued dialogue on U.S. force posture in Germany.  

Secretary Austin noted the importance of Germany to the NATO Alliance and expressed his desire for continued consultation.

NATO Defense Secretary Austin