Foreign Minister Steinmeier on Review 2014 and European foreign policy.
Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier attended an event at the Carnegie Europe think tank in Brussels on 16 March, where he discussed with European citizens the outcome of the Federal Foreign Office's Review 2014, Europe, and European foreign policy.
Engaging even more with citizens on foreign policy. This is one of the goals Foreign Minister Steinmeier identified at the end of February following the recent Review process at the Federal Foreign Office. During the discussion at Carnegie Europe, he not only worked to achieve this goal, but also talked about the Review's findings concerning Europe and European foreign policy.
German foreign policy can only work in and through Europe
During all debates held in connection with Review 2014 – whether these were with experts, the German public or Federal Foreign Office staff – there was one recurring common denominator: "German foreign policy can only work in and through Europe."
That is why Europe is central to Steinmeier's concept of foreign policy: “When I think about German foreign policy, I think European! [...] When I think about Europe, I think foreign policy!”, the Foreign Minister declared.
European foreign policy is the only way to effectively take action in view of the current accumulation of international crises, Steinmeier went on to say: “The more European our instruments of crisis reaction are, the more effective they will be.” This becomes clear, for example, in the conflict in Ukraine, in which Europe's greatest strength has been to act jointly.
Strengthening the “European reflex”
Also when shaping international order, Europe must act in concert to harness its full potential. One of the key results of the Review process is therefore that German foreign policy needs to strengthen its “European reflex”. Europe must become an even bigger and more cross-cutting issue, also in the everyday work of the Federal Foreign Office.
However, Steinmeier spoke not only about what can be done to improve German foreign policy.
Jan Techau (Carnegie Europe) and Minister Steinmeier
© Photothek/Grabowsky
He also shared his vision of European foreign policy, saying that, if we want the "European Model" to matter in the world, then we have stick together. If the 28 states of Europe want to have weight in the world, they can do so only as one.
Not enough progress in European foreign and security policy
For this, the EU must add to its foreign policy toolbox and improve its internal procedures. As a banking union, a capital markets union, and an economic union, Europe has made great progress in recent years – but not enough as a foreign and security policy union, Steinmeier said. Here, change must be encouraged.
One area mentioned by Steinmeier in this connection was the Common Security and Defence Policy, saying that the planning and conduct of operations could be improved by creating permanent civilian-military capabilities in Brussels. But it is also important to strengthen the diplomatic instruments, ranging from crisis mediation to development cooperation, as well as to take a new, political approach on the European Neighbourhood Policy. All this will strengthen Europe's Common Foreign Policy. Steinmeier declared that the EU Foreign Affairs Council plays a vital role in this respect: This is where Europe should develop one common view, which is far more important than merely delivering statements of national interest.
The keyword in all these areas is “Responsibility”, said Foreign Minister Steinmeier. National foreign policy must not only think European, but also be willing to act European: “That can only happen when, on the European level, we are able and willing not just to talk and coordinate, but to really define and carry a European responsibility in the world.”
"Germany - Looking Beyond its Borders" – speech by Foreign Minister Steinmeier, delivered at Carnegie Europe
