Germany`s Foreign Policy, EU, UN

A milestone of the German-French friendship - Germany and France celebrate the day of German-French friendship

Since 1963, bound by a treaty of friendship, France and Germany maintain a unique relationship. Both countries have transformed their past confrontations into a force for peace in Europe.

A milestone of the German-French friendship

The Euro and the Future of Europe

Please read here a speech given by the Federal Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle at the Brookings Institution in Washington D.C.on 20 January 2012 about the Euro und the Future of Europe:

The Euro and the Future of Europe

Political Islam and Democracy

Read here an article by Foreign Minister Dr Westerwelle about challenges the Arab Spring movement has to face:

Political Islam and Democracy

European Union Guidelines on Human Rights Defenders

Germany and the European Union are actively engaged in the protection of human rights defenders. The EU has drawn up guidelines to ensure that this protection is guaranteed in the long term.

European Union Guidelines on Human Rights Defenders

And the winner is…

The new human rights logo looks almost like a hand about to take flight on a breeze – as light and delicate as a feather. Predrag Stakić, the creator has now been honoured in New York as the winner of the global competition to find a human rights logo.

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Germany and Nigeria

Since the inauguration of the first elected President Obasanjo after the end of military rule in May 1999, the bilateral relations between Germany and Nigeria have intensified. Like his predecessor, President Yar'Adua -in office since May 2007- is promoting the strengthening of the ties with Germany, covering all areas such as political cooperation, economics, culture and education.

Germany and Nigeria

Foreign policy issues

Peace and freedom are the focal points of German foreign policy. They can only be guaranteed through cooperation in a spirit of trust and a fair balancing of interests with our partners in the United Nations, NATO, G8, OSCE and EU.

Foreign policy issues

Germany, Candidate for the UN Security Council 2011/2012

Germany - a strong Partner for Africa

Germany strongly believes in multilateralism, with the UN at the core. This is why we play a pivotal role in the UN system.
The German government contributed over 800 million US dollars to the organisation’s work in 2008, making Germany the third-largest financial contributor. With 13.9 billion US dollars in 2008, we are also the second-largest donor of development aid worldwide.

Germany and the UN : A strong Partner for Africa

German policy on Europe

After centuries of bloody conflicts, the integration of states and their interests has defeated nationalism and brought Europe an unparalleled period of peace, prosperity and stability. That is why the completion of European integration is our top political objective.

Germany policy on Europe

Information from the Federal Foreign Office

• Foreign Policy
• European Policy

The Government of the Federal Republic of Germany offers its condolences to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria

Following the bomb attack on Christmas Day, which left many people dead or injured, the President of the Federal Republic of Germany, Christian Wulff, sent a letter of condolence to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria:

"In deep shock have I received the news of the terroristic attacks in your country which have taken the lives of many people and caused so many people to be injured. I condemn this violent act of terrorism in the strongest possible terms. It is particularly horrifying that the terroristic attacks were directed against people who had peacefully assembled in the Houses of the Lord on Christmas Day. This kind of cowardly violence is not part of the teachings of any religion. The community of nations must stand together against this terror!

Permit me, Mister President, to offer condolences and deepfelt sympathy to you and the families of the victims on my own behalf and on behalf of the German people. Our thoughts are with the families of the victims. We wish the injured a speedy recovery."

The Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle issued the following statement on the terror attacks in Madalla and Jos in Nigeria:

“Sadly, even on Christmas Day the world has not been spared the horrors of cowardly terrorist attacks.

I condemn in the strongest possible terms the appalling bombings of Christmas services in Madalla and Jos in Nigeria. My thoughts and sympathy are with those who have lost loved ones. To the many injured I wish a speedy recovery.

Also over the days and the year ahead we are called upon to work with friends, partners and like‑minded people everywhere to combat with the utmost vigour the scourge of terrorism, violence and oppression – in Nigeria just as in Afghanistan, Syria, Belarus or elsewhere in the world.

Tolerance towards those of other faiths and beliefs, a readiness to resolve conflicts by peaceful means: these things are not only a message conveyed by the Christian Christmas as well as other world religions. They can also be – for that is indeed the lesson of over sixty years of recent European history – the key to the peace, freedom and prosperity of entire regions.”