Europe

What lessons can Germany and France draw from the discrepancies in their security and defense policies regarding the intervention in Libya? Where do both countries stand regarding potential reforms to the Schengen treaty? Are current debates about integration in Germany and France comparable? These topics were discussed by participants of the 2nd annual Franco-German Future Dialogue that took place in Marseille from June 29 to July 1.

On 21 June 2012, the 7th Diplomatenkolleg concluded with a closing ceremony in Berlin. During the event the participants emphasized that they had not only gained new contacts and established networks but also got to know Germany in its different political, economic and cultural facets.

Konkurrent oder Partner der EU? Das Verhältnis der neu geschaffenen Eurasischen Union zu Europa stand im Mittelpunkt der Konferenz, zu der das Berthold-Beitz-Zentrum der DGAP, der Valdai Club und das Institut Français des Relations Internationales eingeladen hatten.

“Today’s security challenges call for a new emphasis on professional capabilities,” said German Defense Minister Thomas de Maiziere. The realignment of the Bundeswehr is his response to this challenge. Defense no longer means just national defense, but also the defense of alliances as well as international crisis prevention and crisis management.