German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier sought to assure his country’s international partners and allies that Germany will remain reliable and stable, regardless of what happens in the upcoming February 23 national elections.
“You can count on Germany. You can count on us,” Steinmeier said in his opening speech at the Munich Security Conference on Friday.
“I say to our partners and friends: German foreign and security policy remains European, remains trans-Atlantic and remains multilateral,” said Steinmeier.
“We are pursuing our interests, we are looking for joint solutions, we are broadening our international partnerships,” Steinmeier reassured, even in a time of political transition.
At the same time, “Europe remains the linchpin of [Germany’s] policy,” the president said.
Regardless of what parties form Germany’s next government, the country’s leaders will by necessity focus their actions on respecting and promoting European unity, he said.
“European policy rarely arises from a predetermined consensus, but from the constant search for and expansion of overlaps. And even if this remains exhausting, rest assured: Germany’s heart will continue to beat for Europe in the future,” Steinmeier said.
