German Foreign Policy is Peace Policy
Federal Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle has officially taken office. In his first address the new Foreign Minister expressed his desire to actively shape Germany’s foreign and European policy. These were among the most valuable fixtures of German politics, he said.
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- Foreign Minister Westerwelle delivers his inaugural address in the Weltsaal of the Foreign Office.
- (© photothek/Thomas Imo)
The Weltsaal of the Federal Foreign Office, the auditorium where the handing-over ceremony traditionally takes place, was packed. Frank-Walter Steinmeier handed over the ministry to his successor and welcomed the new Ministers of State, Cornelia Pieper and Werner Hoyer. Ministers of State Gernot Erler and Günter Gloser are leaving their posts at the Federal Foreign Office along with Steinmeier.
Actively shaping foreign policy
In his inaugural address, the new Federal Foreign Minister promised the continuity in Germany’s successful foreign policy. He said it was “among the most valuable fixtures of German politics.” German foreign policy is most successful when it is carried out “side by side with our partners,” he continued.
Westerwelle went on to say that there was certainly no need for Germany to search for challenges in foreign and European policy, there were already plenty on the table. It was the task of policymaking, he said, “to take an active role in mastering the challenges rather than just responding to them.”
For example, he pointed out, the global economic and financial crisis had brought the inadequacy of the existing international governance system to light. The G-8, G-20 and International Monetary Fund (IMF) as well as other institutions were all in urgent need of reform. Similarly, reforms were necessary in order to master challenges in the areas of climate change, global security, the rule of law and food provision.
Moreover, Westerwelle stressed that it was also important to give more attention to strategically designed external economic promotion. He emphasized that cultural relations and education policy would remain a top priority, saying it would continue to be “Germany’s calling card” around the world.
Strengthening bilateral relations
The new Foreign Minister said he would devote special attention to bilateral relations with Germany’s neighbors. Westerwelle stressed in particular the need to deepen relations with Eastern Europe: “The project started by Walter Scheel and Willy Brandt with the launch of Ostpolitik in 1969 ... has yet to reach completion.”
Above all, it was important for the societies of Germany and its eastern neighbors to “grow closer.” Germany and France had succeeded in achieving this, he said. “It is our duty to ensure that we achieve the same quality in relations between eastern and western EU member states.”
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- Foreign Minister Westerwelle and Chancellor Merkel attended the European Council in Brussels.
- (© dpa - Report)
For an effective Europe
Federal Foreign Minister Westerwelle also wants to actively shape the Europe of tomorrow. According to him, Germany and the EU gained an “incomparable wealth of experience” through the process of European unification that is relevant for a world that is changing in the era of globalization. “The European cooperation model … is what we have to offer the world in the 21st century.”
Westerwelle was also confident that Europe would soon succeed in bringing the “long and arduous” process of reforming the EU institutions to a close. The Lisbon Treaty would provide Europe with a “new capability to act.”
As it happened, Europe was at the very top of the foreign policy agenda on the new Minister’s first day on the job. Directly following the handing-over ceremony, Federal Minister Westerwelle left for Brussels to take part in the European Council meeting.
