display
In her speech at the digitally held Munich Security Conference, Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) named two major transatlantic challenges: China and Russia.
A common agenda had to be found for dealing with both countries.
She called China a rival, but it is needed "to solve global problems".
Russia repeatedly involves EU member states in "hybrid disputes", which necessitates a joint Russia policy based on the clarification of offers and different opinions.
Merkel also assured that Germany is committed to NATO and European defense policy - these two elements belong together and complement each other.
Against this background, one has to realize that one has recently "not made any progress" in the Ukraine conflict.
display
The Chancellor began her speech at the digital by referring to a quote from the science pioneer Alexander von Humboldt, which she had already used in earlier speeches: "Everything is interaction" - Humboldt had the meaning of the Multilateralism explained.
The fight against the pandemic shows this "in a very special way," said Merkel.
The fair distribution of vaccines is immensely important in order to fight the virus down.
"With even greater urgency" one also has to dedicate oneself to the common sustainability goals.
Such goals will only be achieved if you join forces.
In many areas, everything is already working “much better than two years ago”.
That also has "a lot to do with Joe Biden becoming President of the United States of America".
So far he has shown that “people don't just speak, they also act”, among other things through their willingness to return to the nuclear agreement with Iran and under the umbrella of the Paris climate agreement.
For Germany, this means "jumping beyond its own shadow" - among other things, with the expansion of the defense budget, which has actually grown in recent years.
Against this background, Merkel also referred to Germany's engagement in Afghanistan.
Germany is ready to “stay longer in Afghanistan if (...) the peace-loving forces in Afghanistan have a chance.” Merkel concluded her speech with a look to the future: “Germany is ready for a new chapter in the transatlantic partnership. "