German President, Frank-Walter Steinmeier has conferred upon President Joe Biden the highest class of the Grand Cross of the Order of Merit, Germany’s highest honor reserved for Heads of state.

This came as the U.S President is on a one-day visit in the European country.

Biden arrived in Berlin on Thursday, October 17, 2024, night and was received by Steinmeier at Bellevue Palace, the official residence of the German President on Friday, October 18, 2024 morning.

Biden’s trip comes just three months before the end of his term in office, and just weeks before Vice President Kamala Harris faces former President Donald Trump in November’s election, with significant implications for the future of trans-Atlantic ties.

He was originally due in Germany last week for a four-day state visit that would have included a major Ukraine defence meeting with Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

However, the trip was cancelled to coordinate the response to Hurricane Milton.

In a speech at Bellevue Palace in Berlin, Steinmeier thanked Biden for his support for Germany, Europe and the transatlantic alliance over almost half a century, going all the way back to a visit by Biden to Germany 44 years ago.

He said that, under Biden’s leadership, the transatlantic alliance is “stronger than ever.”

“For Germany, friendship with the US was, is and always will be existentially important, both for our security and our democracy, even when there are times of disagreement.”
Frank-Walter Steinmeier

In a veiled reference to strains in ties under former President Donald Trump, Steinmeier added, “Just a handful of years ago, the distance had grown so wide, that we almost lost each other.”

Steinmeier said that there have always been people who “have stood by transatlantic relations no matter what and chief among those people, Mr. President, is you.”

Referring to Biden as a “beacon of democracy,” the German President also lauded US support in helping European countries resist Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Steinmeier told Biden that Germany is bestowing the award for his “decades-long dedication to the trans-Atlantic alliance, your outstanding political leadership in Europe’s most dangerous moment and your lasting moral example of service, sincerity and decency.”

The last US President to be awarded the Order of Merit was George H.W. Bush in 1994.

Biden Hails Germany’s Democratic Development

After accepting the award, Biden noted the dramatic changes in the US relationship with Germany during his lifetime.

He recalled when he first visited as a young senator how Berlin, Germany and Europe were divided.

Biden pointed to the transformation of Germany from Nazi dictatorship to a prosperous unified democracy.

He praised the citizens of Leipzig and East Berlin who demonstrated for democracy in 1989 and brought about the fall of the Berlin Wall, which he called “one of the greatest advances in human dignity in my lifetime.”

“Some feared the reunification of Germany would revive old rivalries.

“But the achievement of a Germany whole and free lives on, exceeding everyone’s expectations. The achievement of a Europe, whole and free, is the achievement of our time. And it’s never more important than now.”
Joe Biden

With that, he warned of the threat posed Russia’s invasion of Ukraine which he called an assault on democracy and the principles which have upheld peace in Europe.

He thanked the German government for its support of Ukraine but warned, “We’re heading into a difficult winter, we cannot let up.”

“The times I have lived through have taught me that history does move forward, and things can get better. We should never underestimate the power of democracy, the value of alliances.

“Germany has taught us that change is possible. Countries can and do choose their own destinies. I thank the current leaders of Germany for the choices they’ve made.”
Joe Biden