The first joint Franco-German module in the training course for diplomats will take place from 27 May till 2 June 2010. The aim is to ensure even closer links and networking between the German and French diplomatic services in the future. The joint training module was agreed by the Franco-German Council of Ministers on 6 February 2010 as part of the “Agenda 2020” and will be implemented by the Foreign Service Academy in cooperation with the French Foreign Ministry’s Institut Diplomatique et Consulaire.

43 trainee French diplomats will be the guests of the 35 trainees for the higher foreign service who began their training at the Foreign Service Academy in May. The programme will include a visit to the French Embassy as well as meetings at the Federal Foreign Office, the Federal Chancellery, the Office of the Federal President, the Bundestag, Berlin City Hall and the Representation of Land Baden-Württemberg to the Federation. The main focus will be on questions relating to Franco-German cooperation and current European and foreign policy issues. The courses at the Foreign Service Academy will also include thematic work in small groups in order to give the trainees practical experience of the mechanisms of Franco-German cooperation even at a very early stage in their careers. Following completion of the Franco-German training module, both groups will be going to Brussels, where joint programme points are also planned.

Federal Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle will welcome participants in the Franco-German training module at the Federal Foreign Office on Monday, 31 May.