Foreign Minister Westerwelle Calls for a Friends of Democratic Syria Contact Group
It is now vital to continue working with our partners in the Security Council and the Arab League, Foreign Minister Westerwelle said. “We owe that to the people in Syria and to the reputation of the international community,” he said, adding that to give up would be to leave the Syrian people alone, to abandon them, in their efforts for freedom and self-determination.
Chancellor Merkel and President Sarkozy, meeting in Paris on Monday for the regular German-French government consultations, called on Greece to implement the savings requirements set by the troika.
German-French Consultations
Violence in Syria, the growing significance of the Asia-Pacific region, as well as the effects of the economic and financial crisis are among this year’s key themes at the 48th Munich Security Conference, the most important security policy conference.
Munich Security Conference
Economic issues will be one main focus of the Chancellor’s talks in China. The Chancellor’s delegation includes business representatives, and she will visit the city of Canton on Friday, where 441 German companies are active.
Chancellor Merkel in China
The key objective of Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle’s trip to Israel and the Palestinian territories was to encourage both sides to continue direct talks.
Middle East Peace Process
The German biathlon team came into chilly Oslo last week for a stop on the IBU World Cup tour that would last through the weekend. When they departed, six medals later, it would be fair to say that they warmed up the Norwegian city considerably.
World Cup Oslo
With the 200th anniversary of the Grimm Brothers' "Children's and Household Tales" in mind, the German Agency for Schools Abroad, supported by the German Government, organized a national theater competition using the popular platform YouTube.
Grimm Fairy Tale Competition
Although it may at first sound like it could be a tasty treat, a "Zimtzicke" is wholly unrelated to the many cinnamon-based baked goods Germans enjoy during the winter months.
Word of the Week
