Contents and perspectives on Germany's value-based and European foreign policy

On February 23rd this year, the Europanetzwerk Deutsch together with the DAAD Brussels office invited to a digital discussion group with the topic "Contents and perspectives on Germany's value-based and European foreign policy". The occasion was the publication of the study "Außenblick - Internationale Perspektiven auf Deutschland" - a survey on Germany's external perception, especially during the Corona pandemic, which was a joint project of DAAD, GIZ and Goethe-Institut.

After opening speeches by representatives of the participating institutions, i.e. in particular Elke Kaschl-Mohni, Director of the Institute, Head of the Southwest Europe Region and EU Representative of the Goethe-Institut, and Michael Hörig, Head of the DAAD Branch Office, the focus was initially on the presentation and discussion of the foreign policy positions of the German Federal Government, whose legislative period had just begun at that time. Moderated by Anne Gellinek, Head of the ZDF Studio in Brussels, Thomas Ossowski, Ambassador and representative in the Political and Security Committee of the Permanent Representation of Germany to the EU, gave insights into the new value-based foreign policy of the German government.

As Annalena Baerbock advocates a "feminist foreign policy" in her new role as Federal Minister of Foreign Affairs, the question arises as to how this political program will be shaped in concrete terms. In order to understand the new feminist orientation of German foreign policy, Mr. Ossowski first gave a brief review of the foreign policy of the Federal Republic of Germany. The two central pillars, he said, were European integration, which became especially noticeable since the migration waves of the 1950s, and transatlantic cooperation since the end of World War II. The line of thinking of these two pillars has always been value-driven, Ossowski said. The new coalition government now adds another aspect: feminist foreign policy. This is aimed less at the unconditional advancement of women, he said, and instead focuses on the understanding that more equal forms of society can lead to more peaceful conflict strategies. Germany's new approach to feminist foreign policy thus seeks to reinforce equality as a factor in securing peace.

From the audience questions in the chat, it became clear how relevant, in view of Germany's value-driven foreign policy, the question of how Germany could manage the balancing act between aspiration and reality is, for example with regard to the Chinese government or in the explosive case of Russia and Putin. In addition to the threat posed by Russia to the European security structure, Thomas Ossowski also emphasized the great unity among the EU member states, who all view the situation as serious. European unity is of particular importance in this crisis situation, he said. In retrospect, these statements take on a new significance, after all, Russia's war of aggression on Ukraine began just one day later, on February 24th.

At that time, all participants were concerned about how to deal with Putin from a diplomatic perspective after he had provoked a further escalation by recognizing the independence of the so-called Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics. In this regard, Mr. Ossowski reported on a newly drafted substantial package of sanctions against the Russian government that would come into force in the next few days and would hit hard both individual political actors, the economy, and Russia in general. In this context, he clearly opposed concessions for the Russian government. The European community also condemned the recognition of the Donetsk and Lugansk regions as independent territories, as well as Russia's annexation of Crimea. It was "absolutely clear that the ball is in Russia's court here. They've made a blatant breach of international law, and if they fix it, then we can talk about lifting sanctions, but as long as they don't, we just can't do it."

Mr. Ossowski concluded the event by reiterating the principled stand of Germany and its European, as well as international partners, which is particularly important right now. Moreover, he said, it must be clear that the post-war international order is at stake, as are the fundamental, liberal democratic principles of an international society based on peace.

"No, we have to stand by our principles there", was one of the most important statements of the evening, which is of current relevance today, more than half a year after this discussion group and the ongoing war in Ukraine.