Foreign relations of Germany
The unification of Germany was made possible by the Franco-Prussian War of 1870–71, in which the smaller states joined behind Prussia in a smashing victory over France.
If a treaty legislation passes first reading, it is referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, which is capable of delaying ratification and prejudice decision through its report to the Bundestag.
[1] In 1994, a full EU Committee was also created for the purpose of addressing the large flow of EU-related topics and legislation.
While the budgets and methods of NGOs are distinct, the overarching goal to persuade decision-makers to the wisdom of their own views is a shared one.
In 2004, a new German governance framework, particularly on foreign and security policy areas, emerged where NGOs are integrated into actual policymaking.
The framework seeks to benefit from the expertise of the NGOs in exchange for these groups to have a chance for influencing foreign policy.
[3] In 2001, the discovery that the terrorist cell which carried out the attacks against the United States on 11 September 2001, was based in Hamburg, sent shock waves through the country.
[clarification needed] The government of Chancellor Gerhard Schröder backed the following U.S. military actions, sending Bundeswehr troops to Afghanistan to lead a joint NATO program to provide security in the country after the ousting of the Taliban.
[6][7] Germany is the largest net contributor to the United Nations and has several development agencies working in Africa and the Middle East.
Germany is a member of the Council of Europe, European Union, European Space Agency, G4, G8, International Monetary Fund, NATO, OECD, Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, UN, World Bank Group and the World Trade Organization.
Under the doctrine introduced by the 2003 Defense Policy Guidelines, Germany continues to give priority to the transatlantic partnership with the United States through the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
This aspiration could be successful due to Germany's good relations with the People's Republic of China and the Russian Federation.
[69] Former chancellor Angela Merkel has sought warmer relations with the United States and to rebuild political ties on common values and beliefs.
As an economic power as well as an important member of the European Union (EU), Germany is a reliable partner of Bangladesh in development cooperation.
[citation needed] Germany has good relationships with the People's Republic of China, even though Angela Merkel and large parts of Germany's political class have recently criticised the People's Republic for holding back reforms in the field of democracy and human rights.
[citation needed] In July 2019, the UN ambassadors from 22 nations, including Germany, signed a joint letter to the UNHRC condemning China's mistreatment of the Uyghurs as well as its mistreatment of other minority groups, urging the Chinese government to close the Xinjiang internment camps.
UN reforms, fighting terrorism and climate change, and promotion of science, education, technology, and human rights, are some areas of shared interests, and collaboration between these two countries.
Germany-Israel relations refers to the special relationship between Israel and Germany based on shared beliefs, Western values and a combination of historical perspectives.
[135] Following German history during the Holocaust, one of Postwar Germany's aims was to establish and maintain relations of Wiedergutmachung with the State of Israel.
Starting with the Reparations Agreement in 1952, support for the national security of the State of Israel is central to German foreign policy.
[citation needed] Germany has maintained and expanded economic and informal ties with Taiwan while balancing its relationship with the PRC.
[citation needed][181] German troops participate in the multinational efforts to bring "peace and stability" to the Balkans.
Being the historic core of Europe and the "twin engine for European integration", the cooperation with France is one of the most central elements of German foreign policy.
The Elysée Treaty from 1963 set the foundation for a collaboration that – next to the European project – also repeatedly called for a "Core Union" with maximum integration.
After the fall of communism, Poland and the reunited Germany have had a mostly positive but occasionally strained relationship due to some political issues.
The future aim is to promote a stable market-economy liberal democracy in Russia, which is part of the Western world.
