Sigmar Gabriel outlined his priorities in a first speech to diplomats after taking office from Frank-Walter Steinmeier, saying he looked forward to meeting U.S. Secretary of State-designate Rex Tillerson as soon as possible.
He did not confirm plans reported by the Handelsblatt newspaper for him to visit Washington next week and hold talks with President Donald Trump's administration after relations between Berlin and the new U.S. leader got off to a cool start.
"Whatever noises we're hearing from the United States, transatlantic ties must remain a key orientation," he said. "Our hand should remain outstretched for respectful cooperation based on...openness, honesty and what our constitutions stand for - freedom, democracy and the rule of law, as well as mutual responsibility."
But he said Germany and Europe should stand ready to fill the void created by Trump's cancellation of a major trade deal with Asia, and other protectionist measures.
"We will have to self-confidently use the spaces that may be created through a departure from the United States from international cooperation and international trade," he said.
For instance, he said Germany should rebuild ties with China on a new and more fair basis, expand relations with India, and provide an alternative to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) after Trump's decision to withdraw from the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal on Monday.
Trump's predecessor, Barack Obama, enjoyed a close relationship with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, but Trump's views on torture, free trade, NATO and his promise to lift Russian sanctions have raised concerns among German officials.
Steinmeier, who is to take over the largely ceremonial post of German president next month, highlighted some differences in an interview published on Friday. He warned Trump against dismantling the 2015 nuclear accord with Iran.
Gabriel, who serves as Germany's vice chancellor and travelled to Iran in October, will also meet Vice President Mike Pence and visit the United Nations during his U.S. trip, Handelsblatt reported, citing government sources.
He did not in his speech address Russia, which will be the focal point of a telephone call expected between Merkel and Trump on Saturday, a source said.
Gabriel and his Social Democrats historically favour more dialogue with Moscow and have been more open to the idea of gradually reducing sanctions than Merkel and her conservative Christian Democrats.
Gabriel said he will begin his new post with a short trip to France on Saturday to underscore the importance of European cooperation and unity.
(Reporting by Andrea Shalal and Erik Kirschbaum, Editing by Angus MacSwan)
