German ministries spearhead new strategy for Africa / Germany signals new self-confidence on military operations

EurActiv and other media sources reported in January 2014 that Germany's defence and development ministers were mulling new strategies for Africa, while Foreign Affairs Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier was drawing the line on further military involvement in Africa and around the world.

On the 31 January 2014 German President Joachim Gauck said at the annual Munich Security Conference that his country should put aside World War II angst and play a bigger military role abroad.

Germany’s new defence minister, Ursula von der Leyen, echoed his remarks. Speaking also in Munich in her first policy statement since taking up the post, she said: 'Indifference is not an option for Germany'.

Deutsche Welle reported on the 5 February 2014 that a last-phase extension of Germany's 12-year-long military deployment in Afghanistan had been endorsed by the German cabinet. It also endorsed a plan to sent extra training personnel to Mali.

A two-day trip to Washington served as a platform for German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier to sell a more active foreign policy from Germany.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: March to The Top: Risky Opportunity for New Defense Minister http://www.europeansources.info/record/march-to-the-top-risky-opportunity-for-new-defense-minister/

ESO: Background information: Council conclusions on the Central African Republic / EU countries to send soldiers to Bangui http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-council-conclusions-on-the-central-african-republic-eu-countries-to-send-soldiers-to-bangui/

ESO: Background information: Mali crisis: EU troops begin training mission http://www.europeansources.info/record/mali-crisis-eu-troops-begin-training-mission/

ESO: Background information: Council conclusions on Afghanistan http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-council-conclusions-on-afghanistan-2/

Spiegel Online International: German Foreign Policy http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/bild-945771-643560.html

Spiegel Online International, 28.01.14: Foreign Policy Rethink: Germany Weighs Stronger Military Role http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/germany-considers-increasing-role-in-foreign-military-missions-a-945771.html

Deutsche Welle, 30.01.14: Steinmeier pledges nonmilitary engagement as UN's Ban visits Berlin http://dw.de/p/1Azii

Deutsche Welle, 30.01.14: As Ban visits, Merkel seeks more German involvement in conflict resolution http://dw.de/p/1Azou

EUObserver, 31.01.14: Germany signals new self-confidence on military operations http://euobserver.com/foreign/122963

ESO: Background information: The reluctance of German politicians to take a strong line on defence policy poses a security risk for Europe http://www.europeansources.info/record/the-reluctance-of-german-politicians-to-take-a-strong-line-on-defence-policy-poses-a-security-risk-for-europe/

DGAP: Topics: Security https://ip-journal.dgap.org/en/ip-journal/topics/308/Security

Blog: Carnegie Europe: Strategic Europe, 31.01.14: Germany’s President Speaks Out About Taking Responsibility http://carnegieeurope.eu/strategiceurope/?fa=54394

Spiegel Online International, 03.02.14: Overseas Role: Germany Must Back Words With Deeds http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/commentary-on-german-promise-of-stronger-foreign-policy-role-a-950814.html

Euro|Topics, 03.02.14: Gauck wants new German foreign policy http://www.eurotopics.net/en/home/presseschau/aeltere/NEWSLETTER-2014-02-03-Gauck-wants-new-German-foreign-policy

Deutsche Welle, 04.02.14: Coaxing Europe from its comfort blanket http://dw.de/p/1B2Uc

Deutsche Welle, 05.02.14: German deployments extended to Afghanistan, Mali http://dw.de/p/1B33p

Deutsche Welle [Opinion], 13.02.14: Opinion: Germany must not shirk reponsibility in Central Africa http://dw.de/p/1B8Fj

EurActiv, 21.02.14: Gauck: Germany must play bigger global role, not dominate http://www.euractiv.com/eu-elections-2014/gauck-germany-play-bigger-global-news-533670

EurActiv, 25.02.14: Bundestag weighs Africa policy beyond military intervention http://www.euractiv.com/development-policy/bundestag-weighs-africa-policy-m-news-533715

Deutsche Welle, 26.02.14: Steinmeier promotes 'active' foreign policy in US http://dw.de/p/1BFjd

Deutsche Welle, 28.02.14: New German foreign policy welcome in the US http://dw.de/p/1BHEA

Deutsche Welle [Opinion], 20.03.14: 'Risky German policy in Africa' http://dw.de/p/1BTJu

EurActiv, 28.03.14: 100 days of 'new' development policy in Germany? http://www.euractiv.com/sections/development-policy/100-days-new-development-policy-germany-301221

ECFR: Commentary, 09.06.16: The swansong of Germany’s foreign policy president http://www.ecfr.eu/article/commentary_the_swansong_of_germanys_foreign_policy_president_7039

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