
President Frank-Walter Steinmeier addressing the assembled Members of the Diplomatic Corps at Palace Bellevue in Berlin/Photo Credit: AfricaNewsAnalysis/AM
Berlin, 14 January 2025
The President of Germany, Frank-Walter Steinmeier has emphasised that the centre-piece of Germany’s foreign policy continues to be its commitment to Europe.
Addressing members of the diplomatic corps at his annual New Year’s reception in Berlin today, President Steinmeier observed that at this critical juncture of global politics in which the world was confronted with enormous geopolitical changes, “we must remain in dialogue with all states with which we have common ground or can find common ground.”

Archbishop Dr Nikola Eterovic, the Doyen of the Diplomatic Corps in Germany and other members listen to the President’s speech/Photo Credit: AfricaNewsAnalysis/AM
He reminded the assembled diplomats of the challenges Germany was going through politically, resulting in his dissolution of parliament before the end of legislative period, which is very unusual in this country. Germany is due to hold early elections on 23 February this year.
Despite all the political turmoil in Germany, one thing remains steady, “our foreign policy compass.”

Members of the Diplomatic Corps in Germany listen to the President’s speech/Photo Credit: AfricaNewsAnalysis/AM
President Steinmeier stressed that “the pillars of our foreign policy will be the same even after the forthcoming Bundestag (Parliamentary) election.
“The include, fundamentally, our commitment to Europe,” adding that when Germany celebrates the 35th anniversary of its unification in October, “we will do so in the awareness that this finest hour in history was a European one.”
The German president noted that German unity would have been inconceivable without the “courageous people in Central and Eastern Europe who, from the summer of 1989, cast off the Soviet yoke and fought for their freedom.”
He said that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has rendered the freedom that citizens of Europe enjoyed in jeopardy.

The Doyen delivers his address/Photo Credit: AfricaNewsAnalysis/AM
Putin, he noted, has attacked not just one country, “but peace all across Europe.”
President Steinmeier stressed that “our European response to the illegal war of aggression must be clear and unambiguous – and, above all, it must be a united response. We will stand up for the rule of law and for international law, for peace and good neighbourliness.
“Ukraine can continue to rely on this: we Germans stand by its side as it defends its freedom and independence, on a path to a just peace and a future in the European Union.”
In a wide-ranging speech, President Steinmeier noted the current changes in the democratic landscape in Europe, namely, diversity of voices, political directions, parties and alliances, all culminating in the hues of European voices.
“This may make it more challenging to pursue a common European policy,” adding that the European Union and the values and principles on which it was based “are worth every effort.
He called on the future German Federal Government, no matter its composition, “will have to continue to view its central task as being to respect and promote all that we have in common in Europe.”
The president assured the diplomats of Germany’s passionate advocate for Europe.
He announced that the second pillar of German foreign policy “is and will remain the transatlantic partnership – and the transatlantic security alliance.
“For decades people have been standing up for this bond, working for it, keeping the friendship alive through all the highs and lows.”
He described the Russian invasion of Ukraine, as probably “the most dangerous moment on this continent since the Cold War.”
He described NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization), of which Germany has been a member for 70 years, as more than a security alliance, but also an alliance of values that was founded on and defends common values of peace, freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law.
Germany, he adds, was committed to the transatlantic Alliance, “because we are convinced that only those who are united internally can present a strong united front externally.”
President Steinmeier reiterated Germany’s commitment to the United Nations and the values of multilateral solutions to conflicts.
Speaking earlier, the Apostolic Nuncio and Doyen of the Diplomatic Corps, Archbishop Dr Nikola Eterovic, reiterated the task of the United Nations whose Charter upholds universally recognised norms, namlely fraternity among all mankind based on fundamental human rights.
The UN Charter, says Archbishop Eterovic, believes “in the dignity and worth of the human person, in the equal rights of men and women and of nations large and small.”
He stressed that in the same document “we are called upon to practice tolerance and live together in peace with one another as good neighbours, and to unite our strength to maintain international peace and security.”
The Doyen called on the international community to strengthen diplomacy and the instruments at its disposal, put a stop to the din of war and initiate a patient and honest dialogue between conflict parties with the aim of finding a just solution and lasting peace through reliable mediators.
Furthermore, Archbishop Eterovic urged the major “world religions, which profess to be religions of peace” to play a key role “in this task of raising awareness among people of peace and international law.”