Es gilt das gesprochene Wort.
Dear Mr. Kempe,
Dear Ms. Burwell,
Dear Mr. Fleck
Dear esteemed Colleagues,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is a great honor to be here with you at the Atlantic Council—an institution that has long served as a vital bridge across the Atlantic.
And there is hardly a more fitting place for this conversation than Washington, D.C.—a city that embodies
- democratic leadership
- international dialogue,
- and the power of institutions to shape global rules.
Mr Kempe, as the son of German immigrants and a tireless advocate for transatlantic understanding, your work has helped shape the dialogue between Europe and the United States.
I want to thank you and your team for your continued commitment to this mission.
The partnership between Europe and the United States is more relevant than ever. In a time of profound global transformation—geopolitically, economically, and technologically—we need strong alliances grounded in shared values and mutual trust.
Germany and the United States are united by a common belief in freedom, democracy, and the rule of law.
When we act together, when we combine our innovative capacity, our economic strength and our political determination, we can shape the global digital future in line with our values.
But one thing is clear:
to be a credible and capable partner to the United States, Europe must grow stronger in economic, technological and strategic terms.
This means investing in its own capabilities—
– building resilient digital infrastructure,
– strengthening its innovation ecosystems,
– and taking a more active role in setting global standards for emerging technologies.
In today’s world, technological strength and the ability to shape regulatory frameworks are becoming key dimensions of geopolitical influence.
Europe must not become a bystander. It must be a co-author of the rules that will define the next digital era. Germany is committed to this path together with our European partners.
To strengthen our contribution to this shared European ambition, Germany established the Federal Ministry for Digital and State Modernisation at the beginning of this legislative term.
This ministry isn’t about writing strategy papers. It was created to make digital transformation a reality—across public services, internal structures, and the way the state interacts with citizens and businesses.
To deliver on this mission, we need more than just new processes or digital tools. We need the ability to make our own decisions about the technologies we use and the rules we set for them.
That’s what we mean by digital sovereignty.
It’s not about turning inward. It’s about having the capability to shape our own digital future, to build systems we can rely on, and to keep critical infrastructure open, secure, and trustworthy.
To that end, I’ve started by focusing on the state itself. It’s only the beginning, but if we want to strengthen Europe’s digital sovereignty, we must begin by modernising our own structures and institutions.
First, we’re cutting bureaucracy and making government more digital. That means fewer reporting obligations, simpler procedures, and a culture of trust toward citizens and businesses.
Second, we aim to increase efficiency and reduce expenditure across ministries without compromising quality.
That includes clear targets and monitoring to ensure accountability and progress.
Third, we are investing in the people who make the state work: our civil servants.
Modern working conditions, flexible structures, and performance-oriented incentives are key to attracting and retaining talent in public service.
These reforms are not just about improving internal processes. A capable state is the foundation for digital progress—because only a state that works efficiently can provide the infrastructure, the stability, and the trust that innovation needs to grow.
- That’s true for artificial intelligence, where responsible development depends on clear rules and public confidence.
- It’s true for data and compute infrastructure, which requires long-term investment and coordination.
- And it’s true for start-ups, which need lean procedures, fair conditions, and access to public support to succeed.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Germany and the United States are facing many of the same challenges:
- How to ensure trust in digital technologies.
- How to foster responsible innovation.
- And how to secure the foundations of open and democratic societies in the digital age.
We will not always agree on every regulatory detail—but we share the same fundamental goals. And I believe we bring complementary strengths to the table.
That is why I am convinced:
If we align our strategies and deepen our dialogue—
on artificial intelligence, on digital infrastructure, on standards and secure data use we can build a transatlantic digital space that is open, secure, and competitive.
A space where technology serves people,
where companies innovate responsibly,
and where democratic values are embedded in digital architecture.
I look forward to an open, direct, and insightful discussion with Frances Burwell and all of you.
Thank you very much.