Europe

European policy affects a host of fields for which various ministries in Germany are responsible. To ensure the Federal Government presents a unified stance, there are various coordination mechanisms.

+ The making of German European policy
Nowadays all policy fields have a European dimension. To be an effective advocate of German interests in Europe, the Federal Government must clearly have efficient mechanisms in place to coordinate its policy.

+ Participation of the Federal States (Länder) in EU Affairs
The right of the Länder to participate in EU affairs has been strengthened in both content and formal terms as a result of European integration, which also touches upon Länder domestic competencies.

+ German as an EU language
German is one of the currently 21 EU languages accorded equal status under EEC Council Regulation No. 1 of 1958. The Federal Government is working for German language skills to be recognized as a career-enhancing qualification and has taken steps to make German courses for this target group more attractive.

+ Bilateral relations with other EU Member States
Alongside the multilateral 'Brussels' cooperation between the EU Member States, bilateral relations with the other EU countries continue to play a major role.

• Primary Source

Germany: Federal Foreign Office: Germany in Europe http://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/EN/Europa/Deutsche_Europapolitik/Uebersicht_node.html

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