Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier will not be welcoming state guests with military honors at his new official residence indefinitely. According to Steinmeier’s spokesperson speaking to Spiegel, various locations are currently being tested to carry out military honors during the period when the residence is being used along the Spreebogen. In the future, such honors will take place in the surrounding area, provided that the testing and the specific circumstances of the appointments allow it.
Despite these restrictions, Steinmeier will welcome Kazakh President Kassym-Schomart Tokayev with military honors on the premises of the Ministry of Defence on Tuesday morning. Earlier, just three weeks ago, Steinmeier hosted Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the United Arab Emirates, at the Borsig Villa. This was the first high-level visit following the move to the new official residence.
The Presidential Office explained that the military honors for the UAE President’s state visit could not be administered at the Spreebogen office because the threat assessment level of the guest did not permit such an event in that specific area. Furthermore, visible construction work near the police building on Alt-Moabit Street-directly at the designated site for the military ceremony-made it impossible. This construction site is expected to remain for some time.
Steinmeier himself does not appear bothered by the limitations his new residence imposes. His spokesperson noted that the Federal President is very satisfied with the facilities of the new building.
