I would like to thank Federica Mogherini for her great commitment and foresight in the joint development of the Global Strategy.

Europe is sending a clear signal with this new security strategy. At a time when crises and conflicts are flaring up all around the European Union, we have created a solid foundation and a common strategic approach for our European foreign and security policy.

I am delighted that this strategy also includes core elements of Germany’s policy for peace, including an active commitment to a rules‑based international order and the need for stabilisation in our efforts to tackle crises and conflicts.

Now it is time to look to the future. The Global Strategy’s many operational considerations must now be fleshed out and implemented. This is a task that we will need to attend to the coming months.