Excerpts from Ambassador Georg Boomgaarden’s speech on “German Foreign Policy” before the Conservative Foreign & Commonwealth Council in the House of Commons.
Ambassador Boomgaarden:
…on common values:
“For nearly 60 years, democratic post-war Germany has pursued a peaceful and successful foreign policy, a foreign policy guided by values and interests and embedded into the European Union and the transatlantic community.”
In the sense of Max Weber’s “ethics of responsibility”, which do not pursue any ideology but focus on the consequences of a policy, we share our values – democracy, human rights, the rule of law and a liberal, but socially responsible economy – with our close partners in ‘the West’. ‘The West’ is not a geographical construct but a community of values and practical cooperation, ready to play its part in creating a sustainable world order.”
…on 6 key principles by which German foreign policy is guided:
1. Friendly relations and European integration with 9 neighbours and beyond
“Peace and stability have to be preserved and earned anew by every generation. Do not take them for granted.”
“Europe is a peaceful and prosperous community of nation-states. We see the day-to-day haggling and debates over many issues. Common policies are anything but easy, but who would expect them to be? What counts is the outcomes.”
“A 21st century EU must be founded on an outward-looking rationale: the EU as a global partner that acts on behalf of its member states and promotes their interests in the international arena.”
“A modern-day EU is a tool to be more influential on the global stage than we would be through any bilateral relationship with other countries. The transatlantic bridge – a firm bridge – will be tilted if there is one strong US pillar on one side, and 27 little pillars on the other.”
2. A firm commitment to our transatlantic partnership
“This year, we will celebrate the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin wall, which almost literally opened the door to peaceful German unification. We know full well that this would have been impossible without our transatlantic alliance, the unflinching support of President Bush senior and the Conservative government in Britain.”
“With the end of the Cold War, threats and challenges have changed but continue to exist. We can only overcome them in alliance with the US and our European partners. Fixing the global financial system, halting the global economic downturn and re-igniting global economic growth, preventing climate change, securing affordable and reliable energy supplies, preventing and fighting terrorism also by addressing its root causes, alleviating poverty and increasing social justice for people in developing countries – these are just some of the challenges that require concerted transatlantic action.”
“The new Obama administration is our European opportunity. Washington is again willing to listen and to act jointly. President Obama and his team know that even the US cannot walk alone. They want Europe to be among their partners in shaping the international system, because Americans and Europeans still share a special bond of common values. What is needed is for us Europeans to get our act together. If we don’t, we have only ourselves to blame. I am optimistic that we will rise to the challenge.”
3. The need for hard-headed engagement with Russia
“Russia is and will remain our European neighbour – whether we like it or not. The communist ideology is dead – but Russian nationalism is not. Russia has learned that it cannot insulate itself from the global economy. Russia’s prosperity and security are inextricably linked with the international system. We should do everything possible to strengthen these links still further, so that Russia cannot leave the common space without damaging its own interests”
“Cooperation must be a two-way street and a win-win situation. Russia can be helpful, but it wants to be courted before going into engagements. It is in our own best interests if we engage Russia as an economic and political partner.”
“Russia is indispensable in coping with problems like energy security, climate protection, counterterrorism, regional conflicts such as Afghanistan and Iran – and these issues are of common interest to Russia and the EU. Security in Europe is – in the long run – only possible if we take Russia on board.”
“Russia’s part in what I have called the “European peace project” is, from our perspective, even more important than Russia’s potential as an economic partner.”
4. International crisis management
“Since the end of the Cold War, Germany has played an increasing role in crisis prevention and conflict resolution. “
“Afghanistan is one example: it will require sustained international assistance on a broad basis for years to come. Its stabilization is in our own vital interest. It would be a mistake, however, to look at Afghanistan through a military lens alone. There will be no quick military fix. Building roads, schools, wells and hospitals will be the only way to create social and economic development and job prospects for the Afghan people. That’s how we can win their hearts and minds!”
“To this end and to secure the presidential election in August, Germany – already the 3rd largest provider of troops – is temporarily increasing its military presence in Afghanistan by 30% to up to 4500 troops, while also continuing our efforts in the areas of capacity building and police training. By 2010, Germany will have spent over €1.1bn on aid to Afghanistan.”
“Our Afghanistan strategy needs rethinking. We should put more emphasis on political reconciliation and differentiate more clearly between al-Qaeda, which is an international threat and terrorist organisation, and the rather wide and diverse spectrum of local tribal insurgence. The name Taliban is often used by a wide range of groups, from criminals to tribal chiefs. We should encourage more dialogue between the Afghan government and some of the insurgents, aiming to promote a new balance between central and local power in Afghanistan.”
“Afghanistan’s and Pakistan’s problems are intertwined. Stabilizing Pakistan politically and economically is crucial if we want to stabilize the region and succeed in Afghanistan. We need to continue to work within the Group of “Friends of a Democratic Pakistan” and follow up on the G8 initiative during the German G8 presidency in 2007 to promote close cooperation between the two countries.”
5. The South
“Germany will, within the EU, do all it can to promote the Middle East peace process, working closely with the United States, as well as with the other Quartet partners, also trying to reinvigorate the Arab Peace Initiative as part of a comprehensive peace effort between Israel and the whole region.”
“Economic, environmental and political catastrophes are taking place in Darfur, Somalia and the Congo. As with other challenges, it is crucial that Europe as a whole deals with these southern partners. A Europe where only Germany deals with Moscow, only France with Algeria and only Britain with the US would be doomed to failure.”
“The Millennium Development Goals remain important for us despite - or may I say because of – the current crisis: Many countries in South Asia, sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America are among the worst hit by international crisis. At the core of this lies the question of a fair world order and fair chances for all. Furthermore, failure to meet these huge challenges successfully could see Europe as the potential destination of vast migratory movements.”
6. Creating a sustainable world order
“We were early advocates of ‘global governance’ during Germany’s presidency of the G8 summit in Heiligendamm 2007. Now the time has come for these ideas to be implemented.”
“There are many challenges we cannot meet at a national level: combating climate change and preserving our planet, securing our energy supply through energy saving, promoting renewables and diversifying our supply of fossil energy, stopping the proliferation of WMD and protecting our population from threats like terrorism and pandemic diseases.”
“As Germany is itself a federal rather than a centralised state, we see the European level as a natural extension of our national democracy for tasks that can be better tackled at a supranational level. The principle of subsidiarity should be respected, so that decisions are taken as closely to the people as possible. But we have also long been committed not only to common decision-making with our European partners, but also to global governance.”
“The London Summit on April 2 will provide an important signpost as to which cooperative model will be best for the various tasks ahead: the G8, extended G8, G16, G20 … But we also need a more legitimate UN Security Council reflecting realities in the 21st century. Whatever form this global governance may take, the need for it is obvious. Germany is eager to contribute to these efforts.”