“Germany and Slovakia stand side by side when it comes to ensuring Europe’s stability and promoting its strong development”. Welcoming his Slovak opposite number Mikuláš Dzurinda, Federal Foreign Minister Westerwelle paid tribute to the Slovak Government as a “vital ally” for the culture of stability in Europe.
Read more: Working together for Europe’s stability
On 28 July 2010 the United Nations General Assembly recognized the right to water and sanitation in a resolution. Federal Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle welcomed this development as an important political step for ensuring better access to clean drinking water and suitable sanitation for hundreds of millions of people worldwide.
Read more: Human right to water and sanitation
European policy issues, such as the stability of the euro and bringing the countries of the Western Balkans closer to the EU, were the focus of talks during the visit of Federal Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle to Slovenia. In his meetings with Minister of Foreign Affairs Žbogar, Prime Minister Pahor and President Türk, detailed discussions on bilateral topics were also on the agenda.
Read more: Sharing responsibility in Europe and the world
It was evident there was a common political will to continue a serious dialogue on human rights, discuss openly different points of view and thereby move German-Chinese relations forward, explained Markus Löning, the Federal Government Commissioner for Human Rights, at the end of the latest session of the German-Chinese Human Rights Dialogue in Berlin.
Read more: Human Rights Dialogue with China
In 1959 Germany concluded its very first bilateral investment treaty (BIT) with Pakistan. Meanwhile, Germany has concluded 138 treaties. The most recent addition to Germany’s BIT list in a renewed agreement with Jordania.
Read more: Securer economic relations with Jordan
Apart from their excellent bilateral relations, Germany and Cyprus have something special in common: “We know what it is like to live in a divided country”, Federal Foreign Minister Westerwelle declared during his visit to Nicosia. He hoped Cyprus could be reunified in a similar way to Germany twenty years ago.
Read more: European policy in a spirit of equal partnership
As the first German Foreign Minister to do so, Guido Westerwelle addressed the African foreign ministers who had gathered for the African Union Summit in Kampala. He described Africa as “a continent full of opportunities” which is finally taking the place it deserves as an equal partner when it comes to tackling international problems and as an attractive location for business.
Read more: Spotlight on Africa
