ECFR and the Foreign Office on Germany’s Foreign Policy

In early 2014, German foreign minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier announced the 'Review 2014 – A Fresh Look at German Foreign Policy', a process of self-assessment and critical analysis by the German Federal Foreign Office. The intention was to generate a debate within the political community and greater German society on the interests and objectives of German foreign policy.

ECFR decided to use its unique position as a pan-European think tank to engage with the Federal Foreign Office in order to influence this important process. Considering its experience and broad European network, as well as Frank-Walter Steinmeier’s efforts to reflect and discuss German foreign policy within a European context, ECFR offered the MFA to co-host a joint series of debates across Europe.

These took place in October 2014 and this Review summarises the conclusions.