Germany is preparing a new security strategy

Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said in Berlin that Russia’s aggressive actions in Ukraine made it clear: “When it comes to issues of war and peace, when it comes to issues of right and wrong, no country, not even Germany, can not be neutral. This is especially important when considering German history.

“For us, and for me, a special responsibility arises from Germany’s guilt for war and genocide,” the environmentalist said at the start of work on a new national security strategy for Germany. This means the obligation “to stand by those whose lives, liberties and rights are threatened.”

The minister said that the war waged by Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is violating international law, is facing us with a new reality in terms of security policy. The following is true of the future security strategy: “In light of Russia’s massive breach of order and peace, we need to further clarify the principles that guide our practical policy.” A clear stance, a stronger ability to act, and strong foreign and security policy instruments are crucial.

“Geopolitical turning point”

“The Russian war in Ukraine is a ‘geopolitical turning point with far-reaching implications for European security,'” Baerbock said. Therefore, when developing a new national security strategy, Germany must “not think about security looking to the past, but to the future.”

Baerbock described the “inviolability of life” as one of the three essential elements of a new concept of security. She underlined the protection from war and violence, “the security of the freedom of our lives” in democracy and “the security of the foundations of our lives”. Where war erases the foundations of life, there can be no security, Baerbock said. “But even where the consequences of climate change, hunger, poverty and lack of prosperity force people to suffer, there is no basis for a secure life in freedom.”

More responsibility

“Ukraine’s war shows once again that security depends on NATO ‘s ability to form alliances,” Baerbock said. The minister called on Germany to take more responsibility within the alliance. According to Baerbock, the new security strategy should be based on a value-oriented foreign policy. It should be the protection of values ​​and interests together, the minister said. The aim is to shape foreign policy “with a clear compass of values ​​in hand.”

At the same time, the Foreign Minister warned that the Germans must “face their economic dependencies intensively.” “We are now experiencing a one-sided economic orientation making us vulnerable.” Failures to supply products during the war in Ukraine will be “severe”, in part because Ukraine will not be able to send grain to African countries.

We also need to talk to authoritarian countries

Germany should become independent of fossil energy imports, but should not fall into new dependencies. “Of course we have to talk to authoritarian regimes as well,” Baerbock said. “It is essential that we do not allow anyone to shut our mouths, that we do not swallow things, because we are economically dependent, but to maintain an attitude, even when it is difficult.”

Baerbock, in whose ministry the security strategy will be developed, announced that the process will be drafted in co-operation with other federal ministries, along with parliamentary groups in the Bundestag and with national and international partners. The federal government will also draft a new strategy towards China.

The German security strategy should be linked to relevant efforts at EU and NATO level. The government in Berlin has also stated in its governing program that it “will present a comprehensive national security strategy in the first year of the new federal government.” This is the first project of its kind in the history of the Federal Republic of Germany. DW

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