Federal Cabinet extends mandate in Lebanon
On 22 August the Federal Cabinet decided to extend by a further year the mandate of the German contingent serving with UNIFIL, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon. UNIFIL's task is to monitor the ceasefire and support the Lebanese armed forces. The extension still needs to be approved by the German Bundestag.
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Germany provides humanitarian aid for earthquake victims in Peru
The situation in the Peruvian regions hit by the earthquake remains critical, even now, several days after the quake. The international community is working to help overcome the worst. The Federal Foreign Office is making available over Euro 230,000 for emergency relief measures.
Read more: Germany provides humanitarian aid for earthquake victims in Peru
The Darfur conflict in Sudan
The Federal Government has firmly advocated a political solution to the Darfur crisis. It has made available over 80 million euro in emergency assistance for the refugees to date. On 31 July 2007, The UN Security Council adopted a resolution authorizing the sending of the UNAMID peace mission. Germany will make a substantial contribution towards the financing of this mission.
Read more: The Darfur conflict in Sudan
International energy policy, renewable energies
Climate protection and energy policy are closely linked. Modern economies need both a reliable energy supply and long-term, sustainable economic growth. This can only happen if partners cooperate internationally in order to promote energy efficiency, a balanced energy mix and technical advances.
Read more: International energy policy, renewable energies
German aid for flood victims
Millions of people made homeless, no clean drinking water, flooded fields – this year's monsoon has had dramatic consequences for many families in India, Bangladesh and Nepal. An estimated 20 million people have been hit by the flooding. The Federal Foreign Office has made available 500,000 euro as humanitarian aid to help those affected by the floods. The Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development has pledged another 500,000 euro in food aid to the World Food Programme.
Read more: German aid for flood victims
Portrait of Ambassador Wolfgang Ischinger, the EU representative at the Kosovo talks
Ambassador Ischinger is well prepared for his new challenge. Appointed by Javier Solana on 29 July as the EU representative in the Troika for the Kosovo talks, he brings with him a great deal of experience to help him fulfil this new task, one which returns him to a region where his career was given its decisive direction.
From 1995 to 2001, he already dealt intensively with the Balkans conflicts. In 1995 he was involved in drawing up the Dayton Agreement which ended the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina and laid the foundations for the post-war order.
Read more: Portrait of Ambassador Wolfgang Ischinger, the EU representative at the Kosovo talks
British Foreign Secretary Miliband makes first visit to Berlin
On 18 July, Federal Minister Steinmeier met his new British counterpart David Miliband. Federal Minister Steinmeier spoke of his "long-standing personal ties" with David Miliband and paid tribute to the United Kingdom, which he described as a close and reliable partner to the Federal Republic of Germany. Talks between the two foreign ministers focused on energy and climate policy, something which both consider to be an important aspect of foreign policy. Also on the agenda were European and international issues, such as Afghanistan and Kosovo.
Read more: British Foreign Secretary Miliband makes first visit to Berlin
