Grasping the opportunity for the EU Reform Treaty
Federal Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier is optimistic that the European Council will agree on the EU Reform Treaty this week. Speaking to the German Bundestag, he commended the work of the Intergovernmental Conference, which drafted the treaty. Steinmeier concluded with an appeal to the European partners. "If we miss this chance in Europe, we won't get another one in a hurry."
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The civil-military approach – the prerequisite for effective reconstruction
Security and reconstruction are two sides of the same coin in Afghanistan. That is why the civilian-military approach forms the backbone of the international engagement in that country. Moreover, there is no contradiction between civilian reconstruction and military support. Both are necessary.
Read more: The civil-military approach – the prerequisite for effective reconstruction
Myanmar: EU agree on stepping up sanctions
Following the Myanmar military government's use of violence against demonstrators, the ambassadors of all the EU Member States in Brussels have advocated stepping up sanctions. Yet the sanctions are not to increase the suffering of the population. The EU Foreign Ministers are expected to agree the steps at their meeting in mid-October.
Read more: Myanmar: EU agree on stepping up sanctions
More aid for flood victims in Africa
The Federal Foreign Office has increased its humanitarian aid for flood victims in Africa to 632,000 euro. The additional funds will be used to send a ten-strong Rapid Deployment Unit for Water Supply and Treatment (SEEWA) from the Federal Agency for Technical Relief to Uganda. They will purify drinking water, test water quality and clean the wells for two refugee camps in the Katakwi region in the north-east of the country.
Read more: More aid for flood victims in Africa
Support for Korean peace process
The inter-Korean Summit was the focus of the talks held on 9 October between German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his South Korean counterpart Song Min-soon. "For a good week now, the people of Germany have followed the political developments on the Korean peninsula with even greater interest than usual," said Steinmeier.
Read more: Support for Korean peace process
Preserve the future of the CFE regime
At the initiative of Federal Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the national disarmament commissioners of 33 countries gathered for an informal meeting entitled "The Future of the CFE Regime" on 1 and 2 October in Bad Saarow near Berlin. The CFE Treaty helps limit conventional weapon systems and the German Government believes it to be a central component in the European disarmament architecture, the importance of which stretches far beyond Europe's borders.
Read more: Preserve the future of the CFE regime
