My first week in this new post went by almost in the blink of an eye. There was and is simply no time for a slow start, for an acclimatisation period.

The international situation – just look at the evolution of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, at the situation in Israel, in the Gaza Strip, or at the intensifying negotiations on the possibility of Iran gaining nuclear weapons – is simply far too dangerous.

The international situation is downright explosive.

The Federal Chancellor and I myself therefore used these first few days to make contact with our closest friends.

I think that what is now needed is the following:

Firstly, we must act as one in our policy-making. That does not just mean the Foreign Minister coordinating with the Federal Chancellor – which goes without saying – but also the Federal Government simply working as a team. For me, it is therefore essential for there to be close cooperation – and I am very optimistic that there will be – between me and Boris Pistorius as well as Reem Alabali-Radovan.

We need to act as one within this Federal Government on foreign policy, defence policy and development assistance policy. We are together determined to do so, dear colleagues.

The second necessity is to communicate in-depth in Germany and abroad how we assess the situation, what our interests are, what we want to do, balancing clarity with sensitivity.

This is how I will aim to carry out my new role.

To this end, we need a modern foreign service with outstanding expertise. I look forward to working with a ministry in very good shape, which my colleague Annalena Baerbock passed on to me in a friendly spirit at the handover – I would almost like to say “ceremony”. I am delighted by the immense motivation, the spirit and the prowess of the foreign service, not just at Head Office here in Berlin but also at the many missions abroad.

Ladies and gentlemen, the members of the foreign service are often the first to enter a country – think of Syria – when it is still very dangerous there, and the last to leave a country – think of Afghanistan – when it is becoming dangerous.

And so I am keen – and I ask for the support of this house – to sincerely thank the members of the foreign service of the Federal Republic of Germany for what they do for our country.

We, and I as a long-standing Member of this house, very much value close cooperation with the German Bundestag. Engaging in discussion with you, dear colleagues, on the specialist committees as well as here at the plenary, in the parliamentary groups and face-to-face is very important to me personally. Please feel free to approach me or any of the staff of my ministry, particularly the Ministers of State, at any time.

It is a good tradition – and you know that I emphasised as much in this very place as a member of the opposition, too – that we have in the middle of this house, in the political centre of this house, a consensus among the democratic parties on the broad strokes of foreign and security policy. I want to continue striving to uphold this consensus together with you, dear colleagues.

That means, and this cannot be taken for granted, firmly anchoring our country in a united Europe, in a Europe of freedom, peace and prosperity, in support for and the reinforcement of the German-French and German-Polish friendship – as the Federal Chancellor made clear with his first trips, while I undertook parallel trips; and in the transatlantic partnership as a cornerstone of our security and freedom, and in a clear commitment – which I also tried to make clear with my first trip – to the State of Israel’s security and right to exist, as part of Germany’s raison d’état.

Ladies and gentlemen, this includes efforts to support a dignified life without fear in the battered regions of the Middle East. People’s suffering must be alleviated and the humanitarian situation must be improved in a way that is fully compatible with the principles of international humanitarian law. I have made this clear in my talks with representatives of the State of Israel.

The people who are suffering in the Gaza Strip, who find themselves in an unbearable situation, require immediate assistance and relief. That is a demand, an expectation, that Germany makes clear despite the particular historical responsibility we bear for Israel, or perhaps even because of the particular position we have with regard to the State of Israel, and that we should give voice to, ladies and gentlemen.

At the same time, it means leading the fight against antisemitism worldwide, as well as in our foreign policy, rigorously and unequivocally.

And so I can only note with the greatest concern and bewilderment that internationally recognised definitions of antisemitism which the German Bundestag has until now supported in its majority are being called into question by you, dear colleagues from the Left Party parliamentary group. Please return to the shared consensus that has always underpinned this house: that we fight antisemitism together with internationally agreed rules. That is a German obligation.

Dear colleagues, in the turbulent times that we are living in, we need a thoroughly sober approach aligned with our interests as Germans and Europeans, and with the lessons from our history.

Security, freedom and prosperity should guide us.

None of these core interests is today, 80 years on from the end of the Second World War, still guaranteed or a given. And so we must defend these values together with our partners and allies.

We need coherence in our foreign policy; a clear focus and the willingness to take on responsibility and show leadership.

This entails – in brief – the following priorities:

Firstly, we will have to ensure that we are better placed for our security, in proven alliances and partnerships, first and foremost within a capable and optimally equipped NATO. At the same time, we know that our relationship with the United States of America is changing. It is in our most elementary interest to find a new balance for this partnership so that it continues to hold appeal and have an impact for us as well as for the US.

Our long-term security also includes fundamental support for Ukraine, and a European contribution to ending this war. I will be leaving this debate, regrettably a little early – please forgive me – to travel to Antalya in Turkey for a meeting of the NATO Foreign Ministers. The quint will meet there again tomorrow so that we can discuss the situation with one another.

Dear colleagues, Ukraine has shown that it is entirely willing to now unconditionally engage in ceasefire and peace negotiations. It has our full support in this. But we now expect Mr Putin to come to the negotiating table, to be willing to accept a ceasefire. Everyone who wants peace in Europe must now negotiate, and the ball is in Mr Putin’s court.

Ladies and gentlemen, we must continue to strengthen the European Union, as difficult as that is. We are the largest trading bloc in the world, with enormous potential for the security and prosperity of our 450 million citizens. But if we are to realise this potential, we cannot allow ourselves to be bogged down in bureaucratic processes and cannot forfeit our ability to take foreign policy action.

We have to and want to take responsibility in and for Europe. We want to moderate, organise majorities and perhaps from time to time take the lead as the Federal Republic of Germany, where this is necessary for the security and future viability of our continent. We therefore need reform. We must be able to shape coherent foreign policy with qualified majorities in the field of foreign and security policy.

Thirdly, dear colleagues, yes, this is a continuation of the previous Federal Government policy formulated by Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz. It remains the case that we must build robust partnerships with key countries and regions on all continents. We must enter into conversation with them respectfully and without lecturing. I believe this is possible. It will create new opportunities for us.

“Adversity builds character,” as they say where I come from in northern Germany, and these days the same applies to German foreign policy, which I look forward to shaping together with you.

Thank you very much.