"German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier made a rallying cry for Europe's future global competitiveness at a City of London banquet, as he wrapped up the second day of his UK state visit. Addressing guests inside the historic Guildhall in the British capital's financial district on Thursday, Steinmeier urged the continent to adopt some of the so-called Square Mile's innovative "spirit" to counter a narrative of decline."
""In future, we Europeans can only be strong if we redefine our role and discover a new self-confidence," the German head of state, accompanied by his wife Elke Budenbender, told the gilded audience of business leaders and others. Lauding Europe's "capital, talent, infrastructure... legal certainty", he urged the continent to "catch up in the digital economy" and regain its self-belief, insisting the City of London "can show us how to do it!""
"Steinmeier, whose role is largely ceremonial, is making a three-day state visit to the UK -- the first by a German president in 27 years. Germany's foreign minister when the 2016 Brexit referendum occurred, and a critic of Britons' decision to leave the EU, Steinmeier has embraced the warming ties between London and European capitals."
A call urged Europe to embrace the City of London's innovative spirit to counter narratives of decline and bolster global competitiveness. Europe's capital, talent, infrastructure and legal certainty were highlighted as strengths to leverage. The appeal emphasized catching up in the digital economy, regaining self-belief, and using the City of London as a model for reform. The moment occurred during a three-day German state visit to the UK, the first such visit in 27 years, and followed the 2016 Brexit referendum; warming ties between London and European capitals were welcomed and encouraged to move beyond disappointment.
Read at The Local Germany
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