Siemens Signs Up Albright, Fischer As Consultants

BERLIN (AP) — Siemens AG said Friday that it has signed up former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and former German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer as consultants on international policy issues.

The Munich-based industrial conglomerate, whose image has been tarnished in recent years by a bribery scandal, said an agreement was signed in Berlin in mid-October.

The experience and connections of the two former ministers will help Siemens face "the challenges arising from the megatrends (of) globalization, urbanization, climate change and shifting demographics," a company statement said.

It added that "consulting will be provided on related social and geopolitical issues and the changing balance in the global economy."

Albright was secretary of state from 1997 to 2001 under President Bill Clinton. She previously served as the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.

Fischer was German foreign minister from 1998 to 2005 in the center-left government of Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder.