WASHINGTON, 02 July 2021, (TON): US Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III has said that I’d like to start by saying that our thoughts and prayers are with the German soldiers who were injured in a bomb attack in Mali just a few days ago.

He said “this is yet another example of the dangers of our brave servicemen and -women take each and every day. We hope for their speedy recovery, and we also send our warm wishes to their families at this difficult time.”

He added that now, Madam Minister, I’d like to thank you for being here. You were the very first of my European counterparts whom I met on my first trip to Europe as secretary of defense, and I’m happy to welcome you here to Washington. I’m also looking forward to escorting you down to Norfolk later to visit one of our aircraft carriers and see some of our fleet.

Austin further said that you and I were able to meet with our French and British counterparts in Brussels a few weeks ago for the first Euro Quad Ministerial since 2014, and as the challenges of the pandemic begin to ease, it’s a real pleasure to be able to meet in person twice in one month, which is extraordinary. I’m looking forward to a highly-productive discussion today about a range of issues, and the strong defense relationship between our countries. As I said in Berlin, Germany is one of our staunchest allies, and strengthening our bilateral relationship is a top priority for the Biden administration.