Aktuell Thsk Utrikes och Saekerhetspolitik Prioriteringar och Tendenser (Current German Foreign and Security Policy Priorities and Tendencies).

摘要

Since Angela Merkel (CDU) took over as chancellor in late 2005 she has striven for improved relations with old and new allies within NATO and the EU, at the same time as she asserts Germany's position in world politics. Merkel seems to care more than her predecessor Schrider about cooperation with the United States, e.g. Iran, but still advocates peaceful solutions to conflicts. The German armed forces, which are being restructured to meet new types of threats, increasingly contribute to NATO and EU missions outside Europe. Also Merkel seems to view the EU and its integration as top priority, but she is more skeptical than Schrider of further enlargement. The close cooperation with France appears to be downscaled a little. Concerning Russia, Merkel apparently wants a less personal relationship to Putin than Schrider, which allows for criticism of the lack of democracy and great power behavior towards the new states in Eastern Europe. But also Merkel speaks of strategic partnership and developing ties, especially in the energy field, where Germany has become dependent on Russia.