Germany and America have too much to lose by escalating the latest row over spying, says Prince Michael of Liechtenstein, chairman and founder of intelligence consultancy Geopolitical Information Service.
There is a lot at stake, for both parties, ‘The US – German relationship was a pillar of crucial transatlantic political and economic relations. They have had an excellent working relationship on intelligence and defence which is important to both sides, especially Germany.’
Perhaps most importantly, the current spy row risks impacting the outcome of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP).
‘The Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, which is being negotiated between the European Union and the US, would be hugely beneficial to both sides,’ he says. ‘The TTIP is not possible without German involvement. There is opposition to the TTIP on both sides of the Atlantic for populist and other reasons and some are using fear to preserve trade barriers. The ridiculous spying affair could be the straw which breaks the camel’s back.’
‘Germany too should restrain its reaction because the US and Germany have so many common interests which require good relations. Threatening to suspend the TTIP negotiations as some are doing is stupid. Germany has too much to lose,’ says Prince Michael.
‘Missing out on the advantages of an excellent partnership and future opportunities, such as the TTIP, because one side is unprofessional in petty spying and the other overreacts for populist reasons, would be a schoolbook example of lousy statesmanship leading to a situation where everyone loses.’
Read Prince Michael’s full statement here.
HSH Prince Michael of Liechtenstein is founder and chairman of Geopolitical Information Service AG, as well as president of the think tank ECAEF (European Centre of Austrian Economics Foundation), based in Vaduz.
He studied commerce at the Vienna University of Economics and Business, and consolidated his studies by assignments for the banking and industrial sectors in Belgium, Canada and the USA. From 1978 to 1987 he worked for Nestlé SA in the fields of controlling, management and marketing on various markets in Europe and Africa. In 1987 he took over the management of Industrie- und Finanzkontor in Vaduz (Liechtenstein), an international advisory and fiduciary trust company, where he now holds the position of president.
He is available for comments and interviews. Please contact Iris Barich for more information: Tel: + 423 231 19 41
About Geopolitical Information Service
Geopolitical Information Service provides expertise and insights on geopolitics and geopolitical trends for international corporations, governments and their agencies and other institutions. The company was founded in 2011 by H.S.H. Prince Michael of Liechtenstein.
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