WRAP German chancellor meets business leaders and media, SHOTLIST
1. Wide shot exterior Pierre Hotel with delegation arriving
2. German Chancellor Angela Merkel with the president of the federation of German Industry, Juergen R. Thumann (left), and the CEO of Goldman Sachs, Henry M. Paulsen (right) at photo opportunity
3. Zoom in on Merkel at meeting
4. Wide shot of meeting
5. Cutaways
6. Wide shot of Merkel at meeting with business leaders
7. Merkel walking into press conference
8. Cutaway
9. SOUNDBITE (German) Angela Merkel, German Chancellor:
“I believe it was a very constructive discussion. On my side I have made it clear that we would like to have a strengthening of trans-Atlantic ties. That Germany is a country that is open to American investors, we need these investors, we welcome them and we have a common understanding that countries such as the United States, Germany and the European Union must go forward towards innovation, development and research. I have made it very clear that the new German government is committed to uphold our standard – in a world in where the competition by other continents has become even stronger.”
8.Cut away press
10. Merkel leaving press conference
STORYLINE
German Chancellor Angela Merkel arrived in New York on Thursday for a meeting with business leaders, as part of a two-day visit which aims to further intensify US-German relations and solidify the alliance of countries trying to talk Iran out of its uranium enrichment programme.
By meeting high-calibre German and American business leaders, the German government aims to portray the European Union”s former industrial powerhouse once again as a place that merits investment.
“Germany is a country that is open to American investors, we need these investors, we welcome them,” Merkel said.
“I have made it very clear that the new German government is committed to uphold our standard – in a world in where the competition by other continents has become even stronger,” she added.
The meeting was to include officials from Coca-Cola, Monsanto, Goldman Sachs, Dow Chemical, Citigroup, Motorola and the National Football League, which does business in Germany through the NFL Europe.
German companies included DaimlerChrysler, Siemens AG, steelmaker ThyssenKrupp and business software maker SAP.
Gloom about the German economy, which for years has been plagued by slow growth and high unemployment, has begun to lift since Merkel took office.
In a recent survey business leaders sounded optimistic about recent economic developments with business sentiment reaching a 15-year high.
Later on Thursday, Merkel will return to Washington to join US President George W. Bush at a dinner marking the 100th anniversary of the American Jewish Committee (AJC).
No other German chancellor has addressed the AJC.
Former Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres and UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan were also slated to attend.
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