Up the q a. My final words of introduction are a more personal note. The last time i saw ambassador she hosted men, at her residence for the launch after the berlin wall, dealing with contemporary germany. Was anand my father, it unforgettable evening. I am so grateful to you, ambassador haber, for hosting me and very grateful that you have joined us today. The floor and the screen are yours. Please unmute yourself. Haber can you hear me now question were ok. Fork you, professor harris, inviting me today. It is a great honor and lovely. Thank you for that. Talking about covid, just to say to the audience who have family or friend suffering from covid or have lost family and friends, my deepest condolences. It is a really difficult time. This crisis, nationally, european, and i want to talk the experience that i serving. While there is a discussion of germany. The truth is that we are at 285 people infected today. We see a new surge of cases. It may not seem like much to but an entire conference about german media today clusters. Football games, etc. Over thousands per day, which gives you an idea. With the advantages that you e at the offset, we have something. [indiscernible] which turned out to be negative. Occurred,irst cases we had the test criteria [indiscernible] and rules in place. Across the country, we were able to substantially increase , andtal beds, respirators byts have been developed scientists in berlin who have identified the dna [indiscernible] the pandemic. So once the dna was defined, quickly developed tests. So before going to the next [indiscernible] in late december, skiing , and everyone knew [indiscernible] when you need to garner support, youre usually able to take drastic action if there is a white and prevailing sense of emergency. It is true. Case, as you can see. February, we had the withdence to move forward the case for locking down. Point is in any crisis , youlso a Health Crisis need to have networks at the local level, the regional level, and the federal level. That is true for the united states, as well. Can see the differences and what the differences were between states and federal. Institutions, our uphave an institutional set that allows local, regional, and , along with ngos [indiscernible] and i am saying that to you because you are probably [indiscernible] something you would not know if you were not involved. The organized interaction between the various levels is in , and it would seriously improve your capacity [indiscernible] did, we set up a , andm of Contact Tracing all of that. May, we didh and not have a true lockdown, so we did not close, though some had to. [indiscernible] universities, and we are entering into a new normal, opening up with social , and we have to go stepbystep as we move on. [indiscernible] , we haveonomic side huge programs that we launched , to addressctively liquidity shortages, to address bankruptcies. Let me say that the sound is better when you move closer to the computer. Thank you. Ambassador haber and designed to prevent bankruptcies, provide viability to companies [indiscernible] term, the state will cover salaries for people , up to 60 . Ork as important, it is something 2008, sobeen said in like anf you like, automatic item that springs into action if the economy suffers a severe contraction. And the Second Program was designed to intensify public and private investment. , early to the european on, something that is sadly true. Weeks ofin the early in times of crisis, you take care of your own. You do not give a lot of thinking to the longterm price that this may bring. That becausealized there was issue and pushback by , in theropean states picture we saw in italy just that it wasome [indiscernible] or anyc policies policies, it happened. And withholding something that is key for what the European Union [indiscernible] solidarity would have a huge wece tag, and that is why changed effectively our policies shortcut and set up the biggest ever support and Recovery Program that the European Union has seen, including for this specific case if you remember the financial crisis of 2008, you will know. [indiscernible] utilization of debt. Because of the longterm we set up aut program that was targeting those states most affected by the and that would allow the commission to raise money on the and to haverkets [indiscernible] , and countries would have to pay back but according to their share of the budget. And all in all, the financial framework, you could see Something Like 2 trillion u. S. Of several years that are designed for handling and and the returnry of the economy, specifically concentrated in these areas where we want to see a shift of paradigm. , 20 to judges to two digitalization [indiscernible] economic in years. That is the european side. Another side, the international. HasEuropean Union in effect been helping to shape the forrnational efforts supporting [indiscernible] the access to it, the , and theion of it united states. It could come to haunt us again if we do not make sure that asia affected countries in and africa and america are not in a position to do containment. European actors, team e. U. , has put forward 40 billion euros in ther to support International Side of handling the pandemic pi think i have spoken too long, the pandemic. I think i have spoken too long. And looking at just one item, the european one, we will get it wrong, and setting aside here and managing costs thecatastrophe like americans or africans or asians. Thank you so much for this introduction, and you are so right about the multiple layers of this, so thank you for bringing in that final, that international, layer, because we already know from climate change, but the pandemic makes it so clear how interrelated the world is, and people flying from one place to another and going on vacation and bringing covid back with them. So i have a few questions for you before we open it up to the audience, and people are welcome to write questions in the q a. Germany, here, but in before we turn to the eu more in the u. S. Here, you know, we at gw and so many places, we are completely online. Been some have difficult moments, but there is a very robust internet infrastructure in the united states. I think germany has a little bit less of a robust digital infrastructure, particularly in part of the former east. And that leads to so many impacts, i mean Economic Impacts but also people can stay safer if they are able to conduct business or go to how does, you so know how is the digital afrastructure contributing to response or hindering a response in germany right now . Haber i do not think it is hindering a response. We have the digital infrastructure. It is not homogeneous across, and a viable infrastructure is for educationnt and being competitive, so this is something that the present stagement has put at this in 2017. Problems, and the problem is the rural areas in particular [indiscernible] it is sometimes not profitable that,petitive to set up and that is why the Government Networks in the eastern german states, supporting financially, and seeing the growth of these networks, and some of these in the Eastern States much higher than other states. It, and we are addressing issues which might be raised. Hope here in the u. S. , as you there are particularly vulnerable populations to getting covid19, getting it and dying from it, are blacks. I am wondering if there are any populations or areas in germany that are suffering more than others . Amb. Ambassador haber we can see differences in several states and cities. Hamburg is particularly affected. In particular, bavaria has been affected. Men have been more affected than women. , especially in the early stages of the pandemic, have died in larger numbers. Determine able to [indiscernible] of the population other than by gender [indiscernible] and make a case for that. Question has to do seemsearing a mask, which like a basic, obvious thing to do to limit the spread of covid. It has become. , very politicized. I have seen there have been some demonstrations up people in germany of people in germany against Wearing Masks. How widespread is the antimask sentiment in germany, and is it politicized . Amb. Haber there have been a number of demonstrations in protesting all sort of constraints, including masks. Some of these demonstrations were very small. But there was also the demonstration from the reichstag with nearly 40,000 people. That included extreme right wing. Eople antivaccers. Rightwing and leftwing extremists as well. What is worrisome is all of them have found Common Ground rationalityhe state handling the pandemic. 66 of germans say they are with how the pandemic has been handled. I dont know that for my own anecdotal evidence. I see people Wearing Masks in a city like berlin more than other cities are. It seems to fade away with the lapse of time. We have been speaking a little bit about politics. Angela merkel has been widely praised both within germany and beyond for her handling of the pandemic. After all, she is a scientist and has long been known for her calm, professional demeanor. Serving as chancellor since 2005, she has said she will not run in federal elections next year. The christianrty, democratic union, remain very the mostindeed, Popular Party by far right now, way ahead of others in polls, with the greens in second place third. N pandemicu think the farrighted the party . Has it reduced their power in any way . Do you think has not had an with what people have been watching with the growth of the farright party . Forgot the you liberal party, by the way. Party is by far the most popular. At the same time, everything is relative. Someone who is used to the by party system in the united would find in a foreign reality. At the moment, the government which includes social democrats enjoys strong popularity. 6 in crisis moments that is what usually happens. It is something that political know. Tists the afd have high numbers but does not seem to have profited from the crisis. They have been largely antimigration and antieuropean. These issues have been looming large. It is obvious they are trying to dissatisfaction or discontent on the constraints we are facing. And they are trying to use that to rekindle popularity. It seems to have worked so far. The number of 40,000 was not only from berlin. [indiscernible] thank you. Of this day, on that question, they were wanting toormed not help bail out other European Countries in the financial crisis. I am wondering. You talked about this important combat and deal with the impact of covid19. Contributescourse, i think the most economically to the funding of what happens in the e. U. Indication of how germans are feeling about that when germany itself has suffered some economic consequences . Again, this old issue of how much do you help yourself versus others. Amb. Haber that is a very good question. Myself the asking question when they have spoken about the huge recovery packages. The austeritywere against any bailout. The antibailout narrative was something we had seen at the , thein other parties liberal party, and so forth. That was an issue reflective [indiscernible] the question is, why is that different now . Why dont we have this debate now . We basically dont. I believe this is the case government has been adamant for many years sticking agenda and theut fiscal responsibility agenda. And took a came up iightly different position, that affected credibility for the general public to accept this was an exceptional situation that which had not been acceptable before. , it was a policy change. We are not indefinitely doing this for fiscal responsibility. [indiscernible] what is needed are different approaches that are necessary. Wee on that exact question, have some questions coming in. We have a question asking about the german balanced budget. , exactly what you just mentioned, totally focused on that . Stability is there any flexibility responding to the crisis . Amb. Haber the government has stated loud and clear that in this moment the balancedbudget cannot be at this stage of our strategies. Required in order to crisis. F economic for the moment, we will not give buthe School Responsibility think bige need to about the crisis. Recovery cannot only mean recovery in germany. It is also for the bigger economy of europe in its entirety. Another question has come in. This gets at the impacts of the pandemic. I assume german politicians are not coming to washington much these days and more businesses being done business is being done online. One of our listeners is asking about the current sanctions legislation underway in the u. S. To ss about nordstrom because it is ownedng russian gas and largely by the russian government. And particularly in light of what has just happened with the main Opposition Leader from nepal navalny, who was poisoned and is recovering. Our members of the bundestag and Congress Talking right now about . His issue of nordstrom there have been. Eetings it is not inevitable. [indiscernible] people in congress asked. Is not the same as when we were able to travel to talk in person. Ream, itcomes to nord st has a legacy. It is an old pipeline. Russian gas. That is from the 1980s when i was working at the foreign ministry. Criticisms number of that were completely legitimate. Timestrue there have been where russia has used gas , to weaponize gas exports. They have not done it with us but they have done it in the past with ukraine. Ukraine has been more vulnerable. Created toave been prevent further vulnerabilities. There have not been complaints facilitations which secured the gas out of ukraine. And then the adoption of the e. U. Gas directive which makes sure russia cannot [indiscernible] anymore. N and there is european legislation. Canddition to that, now you pump gas in any direction. We can pump it east, west, north, and south. That is what it refers to. I have always listened with Great Respect to the criticism voiced with regards to nord stream. There is one thing i dont quite understand. I dont understand how it is not a double standard if the imports of fossil fuels in the form of gas from russia to germany is when the import of fossil fuels in the form of crude oil from russia to the is in the same amount. How is that desirable . I find some degree of a double standard. Nord stream iss not just a german project. There are about 100 companies from 12 countries involved. Respond to the russian attempt to murder the russian citizen, if we are to respond and we will, we will have to do it together. Talk amonge to europeans and with americans. That cannot just be one act. , which ing the burden unacceptable behavior needs a price tag. Sanctions are the strongest form of diplomatic language. Together and in so that the price of the sanctions dont also hurt us. Hope thank you. We are getting all sorts of questions and coming up on 10 minutes left. The next question comes from the associate dean of the Elliott School of german citizens who is interested in hearing about whether covid has had an impact on german relations with china. Well, observing the development of chinese behavior since the pandemic, i say this. China is opening states. It certainly saw it when they replaced the [indiscernible] theassyrian taurean affair taurean regime the violated. Ian regime a secondary effect has altered the relationship. Germany and the e. U. [indiscernible] as academic rivals. In some areas, china ignores [indiscernible] possibility that will change with biodiversity and identifying the start of the outbreak and the mistakes. Reaction has affected the outcome. Dealing with these issues by not bringchina will orcloser to any solution compromise. [indiscernible] since the crisis. Kong, the idea of china being a rival has become stronger. Chinanot afford to ignore or to believe that we can coerce china into moving into certain directions. China is an economic and technological superpower, a superpower in the region, and to ignore or big to eclipse international reaction. Hope this next question comes from a female student. This does not have to do with covid. She says, i was really curious about what ambassador habers experience has been like as a woman in diplomacy, specifically given that she has held multiple highranking diplomatic posts that had never been held by women before. My answer would probably not be relevant [indiscernible] but when i entered the diplomatic service, i was one of three [indiscernible] at the time. I believe at the time, no one i would beexpected sitting here [indiscernible] were not credited with being able to do that. That may have been a downside. I was always educated to ignore [indiscernible] girl, i was always [indiscernible] thei learned from my mother reality [indiscernible] and not trusting other people to assume things about me. Also being one of very few women made me very visible. That could be an advantage. What women have to deal with prejudicesngering that still exist. If i go someplace i have not been before, people would turn to shake my husbands hand. That can happen with assumptions we have to overcome. , it has growneral much less acceptable. I would tell you one of the huge but inges that men have my observation women have is putting themselves in the other and seen from their Vantage Point in their shoes. And then you look for a implementing what they want to do. I find that is something crucial for any diplomat. Something you often cannot learn. It is not only empathy. It is empathy and a passion for understanding the other party in the situation. If you can do that, that is good diplomacy. Hope the final question is going to come from me. It has to do with the fact that next week we will be celebrating 30 years since germany united, since east and west germany became one. Ongoing differences between east and west germany continue to make headlines, but so much progress has been made bringing the two together. Stateould you say is the of german unity 30 years after it happened on paper . And what does it mean to you personally . It was the best day of my career. Sitting at the desk at the and and watching it unfold seeing something became possible that a few years earlier people had not thought possible anymore. [indiscernible] east and west germany existing sidebyside. It was aappened, moment where something unbelievable,. Nexpected but there was a belief in it. It was an extraordinary moment. I would say in the life of the manymat, we dont see that extraordinary moments are fundamental changes of historical developments, which this was. That is what it means to me. Germany is police and west germany is still east and west, but it is also south and north. States have sisters, historical experiences. Diversity of opinions and a is somethingive that leads us on. Hope ambassador haber, i wanted to read a beautiful thank you that has come through from a , who isof ours at g. W. From wuhan, china, and is a student at g. W. And has written, my family experienced lock down early this year. They, you introduced contribution and effort germany has made to fight against this as well asmic politics, international relations. I have learned a lot. Thank you so much. To thank you so much for your time and expertise. Andish you to stay safe healthy for you, your family, everyone at the embassy, and to wish you happy 30th anniversary of german unification next week. Amb. Haber thank you. In thank you for inviting me. Stay healthy. Hope thank you. Bye. This evening, candidates for south carolinas first congressional districts, democratic incumbent Joe Cunningham and republican nancy mays, participate in a televised debate. South carolina etv is partnering with the post and courier to host the event. 7 00coverage begins at p. M. On cspan, online at cspan. Org or listen on the free cspan radio app. Ofup discussion on the role president ial debates on the eve of the first meeting between President Donald Trump and former Vice President joe biden. The Brookings Institution hosted this discussion. Good morning. Mark, ais elaine k senior fellow and governments studies at the Brookings Institution. We are governance studies. We are here to talk about, do debates matter . We are one they away from the first president ial debate in one of the most intense, consequential elections in our lifetime