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The Federal Republic of Germany is a Central European country and member of the European Union, Group of 8 and NATO (among others). The Federal Republic is one of the world's leading industrialized countries and biggest market economy in Europe with "windows to the East and West".

Since reunification in 1990 Germany has further extended its responsibilities and central position in European and global affairs.

History since 1945

Main article: History of Germany since 1945

Since 1951, Germany has been at the heart of European Integration and after German reunification in 1990 further promoted peaceful integration with its neighbors. Strong ties with the United States remain central to German foreign policy.

Within the framework of NATO and an integrated European Defence Force, the Federal Republic has resumed the deployment of military units to mediate in conflict regions worldwide.

Germany is one of the world's strongest supporters for ecological awareness in response to climate change and global warming.

Centerpieces of German foreign policy since 1945

Franco-German cooperation

Main article: Franco-German cooperation

Being the historic core of Europe and the "twin engine for European integration", the cooperation with France is one of the most central element of German foreign policy. The Elysée Treaty from 1963 set the foundation for a collaboration that - next to the European project - also repeatedly called for a "Core Union" with maximum integration 1.

European integration

European integration has gone a long way since the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) and the Elysée Treaty. Peaceful collaborations with its neighbors remain one of Germany's biggest political objectives, and Germany has been on the forefront of most achievements made in European integration:

Most of the social issues facing European countries in general: immigration, aging populations, straining social-welfare and pension systems - are all important in Germany. Germany seeks to maintain peace through the "deepening" of integration among current members of the European Union member states

Germany has been the largest net contributor to EU budgets for decades (in absolute terms - given Germany's comparatively large population - not per capita) and seeks to limit the growth of these net payments in the enlarged union.

Westbindung

"Bindung" is the German word for fixation or bond; "Westbindung" is Germany's implant into Western Europe and the Western World.

In particular during the Cold War - but continuous into the 21st century - (West-) German foreign policy pursues the country's integration into NATO and a strong co-operation and collective security with its Western partners.

As a free democracy and market economy, the world's largest exporting nation and the world's third-richest economy (nominal GDP) (behind the U.S. and Japan), Germany shares the interest and institutions of a free and secure world trade.

Israel and the Near East

Main articles: Germany-Israel relations, Jews in Germany, and Iran-Germany relations

Following German history during the Holocaust, one of Postwar Germany's aims were to establish and maintain relations of Wiedergutmachung with the State of Israel. Starting with the Reparations Agreement in 1952, support for the national security of the State of Israel is central to German foreign policy.

Germany has been actively involved in the Israel-Egypt Peace Treaty in 1979, the Oslo Accords (1993) which led to the Israel-Jordan Peace Treaty in 1994 and the continuous Peace process in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict which make Germany arguably (next to the United States) Israel's closest ally.

Germany also holds a special relationship with Turkey and is active in maintaining diplomatic relationships with Iran.

Ostpolitik

Main article: Ostpolitik

During the postwar era, the FRG sought to improve relationship with the countries of Eastern Europe, first establishing trade agreements and subsequently, diplomatic relations.

Development aid

Germany is one of the largest net contributors of the UNO and has several development agencies working in Africa and the Middle East.

German reunification

Main article: German reunification

After the Fall of the Berlin Wall and the Treaty on the Final Settlement With Respect to Germany, German reunification took effect on 3 October 1990.

On 14 November 1990, Germany and Poland signed a treaty confirming the Oder-Neisse line. They also concluded a cooperation treaty on 17 June 1991. Germany concluded four treaties with the Soviet Union covering the overall bilateral relationship, economic relations, the withdrawal of Soviet troops from the territory of the former GDR, and German support for those troops.

Russia accepted obligations under these treaties as successor to the Soviet Union.

Centerpieces of German Foreign Policy since 1990

Central & Eastern Europe

EU Monetary Union and the single currency euro in 2004

The German government was a strong supporter of the enlargement of NATO.

German troops participate in the multinational efforts to bring peace and stability to the Balkans.

Weimar triangle; Germany continues to be active economically in the states of central and eastern Europe, and to actively support the development of democratic institutions. In the 2000s Germany has been arguably the centerpiece of the European Union (though the importance of France cannot be overlooked in this connection).

(see also Foreign relations of the European Union)

Russia

Germany tries to keep Russia engaged with the Western world. The future aim is to promote a stable market-economy liberal democracy in Russia, which is part of the Western world.

The People's Republic of China

Germany has traditionally good relationships with the People's Republic of China. In recent years trade between both countries has reached high volumes, both in import and exports.

Ecological involvement

see also Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change

Kyoto protocol

Initiative for a permanent seat in the UNSC

As member of the G4 nations, the German Federal Government began an initiative to obtain a permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council, as part of the Reform of the United Nations. This would require approval of a two-thirds majority of the member states and approval of all five Security Council veto powers.

This aspiration could be successful due to Germany's good relations with the People's Republic of China and the Russian Federation. Furthermore, Germany's long-term relation to France may support this. Germany is a stable and democratic republic and a G7 country which are also favourable attributes. The United Kingdom and France support German ascension to the supreme body. The U.S. are sending mixed signals.

War on terror

Former Chancellor Gerhard Schröder with U.S. President George W. Bush at the White House in 2001

In 2001, the discovery that the terrorist cell which carried out the attacks against the United States on September 11, 2001, was based in Hamburg, sent shock waves through the country.

The government of Chancellor Gerhard Schröder backed the following U.S. military actions, sending Bundeswehr troops to Afghanistan to lead a joint NATO program to provide security in the country after the ousting of the Taliban.

Nearly all of the public was strongly against America's 2003 invasion of Iraq, and any deployment of troops. This position was shared by the SPD/Green government, which led to some friction with the United States.

In August 2006, the German government disclosed a botched plot to bomb two German trains. The attack was to occur in July 2006 and involved a 21-year-old Lebanese man, identified only as Youssef Mohammed E. H. Prosecutors said Youssef and another man left suitcases stuffed with crude propane-gas bombs on the trains.

As of February 2007, Germany had about 3,000 NATO-led ISAF force in Afghanistan as part of the War on Terrorism, the third largest contingent after the United States (14,000) and the United Kingdom (5,200). German forces are mostly in the more secure north of the country.

However, Germany, along with some other larger European countries (with the exception of the UK and the Netherlands), have been criticised by the British and Canadians for not sharing the burden of the more intensive combat operations in southern Afghanistan.

Foreign military relations

Under the doctrine introduced by the 2003 Defense Policy Guidelines, Germany continues to give priority to the transatlantic partnership with the United States through the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. However, Germany is giving increasing attention to coordinating its policies with the European Union through the Common European Security and Defence Policy.

German-American relations

Main article: German-American relations

Since 2006, the current chancellor Angela Merkel has sought warmer relations with the United States and to rebuild political ties on common values and beliefs.

Membership in international institutions

European Council, European Union, European Space Agency, G4, G8, IMF, NATO, OECD, OSCE, UNO, World Bank Group, WTO

See also

Further reading

External links

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