Remarks With Luxembourg Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Jean Asselborn Before Their Meeting
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State
Secretary of State
Treaty Room
Washington, DC
July 30, 2009
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, it is a real pleasure and delight to welcome the former and present foreign minister of Luxembourg. With the recent elections and the new government, which has many familiar faces, including the prime minister, but also the foreign minister, we are delighted to have this chance to discuss a lot of issues that we are working on together. So I thank you so much for being here.
VICE PRIME MINISTER ASSELBORN: Thank you. Thank you, Hillary, to receive me, it’s really an honor for me. I think we will speak about our bilateral relations. We are an important financial place – things are good. I think the cooperation between U.S. and Luxembourg is on a very high level. We will speak - I am one of the 27 foreign ministers in the European Union, so I’ll give you my appreciation about Iran, Balkan, Middle East.
But I wanted to tell you one sentence from your husband. It was for me, a very – a very good sentence. He said in Denver, United States, they must lead by the power of its example, not by the example of its power. And therefore, we want to help United States, we want to help you to close Guantanamo, because this was not an example. And therefore – we are a small country, but we have the will to help with other partners sponsoring training professional, professional training for detainees, lodging and so on. So we will do it.
SECRETARY CLINTON: Thank you. That means a lot to me. Thank you so much, Minister.
VICE PRIME MINISTER ASSELBORN: Yes, yes.
SECRETARY CLINTON: Thank you all very much.
VICE PRIME MINISTER ASSELBORN: Thank you.
VICE PRIME MINISTER ASSELBORN: Thank you. Thank you, Hillary, to receive me, it’s really an honor for me. I think we will speak about our bilateral relations. We are an important financial place – things are good. I think the cooperation between U.S. and Luxembourg is on a very high level. We will speak - I am one of the 27 foreign ministers in the European Union, so I’ll give you my appreciation about Iran, Balkan, Middle East.
But I wanted to tell you one sentence from your husband. It was for me, a very – a very good sentence. He said in Denver, United States, they must lead by the power of its example, not by the example of its power. And therefore, we want to help United States, we want to help you to close Guantanamo, because this was not an example. And therefore – we are a small country, but we have the will to help with other partners sponsoring training professional, professional training for detainees, lodging and so on. So we will do it.
SECRETARY CLINTON: Thank you. That means a lot to me. Thank you so much, Minister.
VICE PRIME MINISTER ASSELBORN: Yes, yes.
SECRETARY CLINTON: Thank you all very much.
VICE PRIME MINISTER ASSELBORN: Thank you.
PRN: 2009/802
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