"Siegestor", Munich
It marked the birth of the euro, when a new era in the history of European cooperation began 20 years ago with a brief ceremony in Maastricht, the Netherlands. On February 7, 1992 the ministers for the finance and foreign affairs of the then twelve member states of the European Community signed the Treaty on European Union, thus sealing the introduction of a single European currency.
The foundation stone of the EU monetary union
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(© dpa im Auftrag des Auswärtigen Amtes)
Modestandort Deutschland
Great international cinema in Berlin: at the 62nd International Film Festival (February 9-19) the German capital is once again expecting many famous actors, directors and film stars as guests from around the globe. Hollywood star Angelina Jolie, teen heartthrob Robert Pattinson and the two-time Oscar winner Meryl Streep, who will be awarded the Honorary Golden Bear for Lifetime Achievement, are among the film celebrities at this year’s festival.
Berlinale 2012
To most New Zealanders, these strange-looking travellers from Germany may look like dressed-up fans on their way to the Rugby Sevens or left-overs from a Renaissance fair, but they are actually followers of a European tradition reaching back several hundred years. Dressed all in black with a slouch hat, a double-breasted vest with huge white buttons and corduroy bell-bottom trousers, they represent one of Germany’s most endangered species – the Gesellen or journeymen.
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2012 Calendar: Germany – Partner in the World
Germanyis a non-permanent member of the Security Council of the United Nations in 2011 and 2012. This is why the 2012 Calendar of the Federal Foreign Office focuses on Germany’s commitment and involvement as a global partner. The calendar concentrates on the main goals of the United Nations, to which Germanylends its support worldwide: peace and security, human rights, freedom, justice and development.
The calendar presents short overviews of these subjects and Germany’s involvment in these fields. It outlines the main emphases of German policy within the framework of the United Nations and presents all German UNESCO World Heritage Sites in words and pictures.
The International Days of the United Nations are displayed.
The calendar automatically integrates the calendar data on your device.
Contact: fs-medien%27%de,redaktion%27%deutschland
© Frankfurter Societäts-Medien GmbH 2011
The effects of the economic and financial crisis, the growing world-political significance of the Asia-Pacific region and the radical changes in the Arab world are among this year’s key themes at the 48th Munich Security Conference (MSC).
Munich Security Conference
Climate change, biodiversity, energy efficiency, world food supplies and population growth: The Year of Science 2012 is fully focused on sustainable development. The aim is to stimulate public awareness about sustainability research under the motto “Future Project Earth” by making current scientific developments accessible to a broader public. In the coming months numerous events are planned throughout Germany.
Stimulating awareness for sustainability
Federal Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle on the EU’s new financial policy stability and the goal of a political union in Europe.
Minister, for many months now Europe has been engaged in financial policy crisis management – what will a sustainable solution look like?
We are now developing the European Union into a stability union. That is what we agreed at the European Council on 9 December 2011. Almost all member states of the European Union committed themselves to observing the stability criteria by showing, for example, increased thrift and greater budgetary discipline.
“Europe will grow closer together”
Germany 2012: four events in a tour of discovery
Frederick the Great’s 300th birthday
Rediscover “Old Fritz”, the great Prussian king. With 2012 marking the 300th anniversary of his birth, the Prussian Palaces and Gardens Foundation Berlin-Brandenburg is paying tribute to a king with a risk-loving character.
Germany 2012
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(© Auswärtiges Amt mit Unterstützung von DW-TV)
International Conference on Afghanistan 2011 in Bonn
Working Towards a Secure Future The International Conference on Afghanistan 2011 in Bonn
Seven representatives from the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) participated in an information visit to Germany recently at the invitation of the German Foreign Office. Among them were high ranking officials Toelau Viliamu Iulio from Samoa, Keshwa Nand Reddy from Fiji, Alexander Tama Henry from the Cook Islands and Conchitta Paul from Kiribati.
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As part of its Cultural Heritage Conservation Programme, the German Foreign Office has been actively involved in the evaluation of a project designed to preserve the old Court House in Apia, Samoa. The programme, which has been running since 1981, supports localized projects outside Germany with the aim of enhancing both the respective country’s cultural heritage and its mutual cultural dialogue with Germany.
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On Sunday, 13 November 2011, two exhibitions opened at the Pataka Museum in Porirua exploring the historical impact and lasting legacy of Germany´s colonial past in Samoa at the beginning of the 20th century, where over 200 guests could be allured to attend the official opening ceremonies led by museum curator Helen Kedgley. Ambassador Thomas H. Meister, who in his opening address emphasized the strong bonds between the two nations, was joined by Hon. Prof. Winnie Laban and HE James Blakelock, High Commissioner of Samoa in New Zealand.
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On 10 November, Ambassador Meister welcomed invited guests to a special screening of Wim Wender’s “PINA 3D” film at the Embassy Theatre in Wellington. The performance was introduced by an informative commentary by choreographic expert Jennifer Shennan from Wellington.
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On 9 November 2011, Ambassador Thomas H. Meister officially handed over a “Trabant” car to the Southward Car Museum in Paraparaumu.
Kapiti Coast District Mayor Jenny Rowan and Stan Bellamore, the Southward trustee manager, also joined the event, which coincided with the 125th birthday of the invention of the first automobile and the 22nd anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall.
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On Sunday 6 November, the residence of the German Ambassador was the chosen venue for an evening of musical delight, when the Wellington Friends of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra presented a “Musical Celebration” featuring fourteen members of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra.
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Scientific insights that can change our world are at the centre of a special scientific conference in Berlin. Twenty top international scientists from the natural sciences, humanities, life science, economics and technology, will be presenting their specialist disciplines at the third “Falling Walls Conference” which is being staged in the German capital on November 9, the anniversary of the fall of the Wall.
Science – a powerhouse of ideas
As the 21st century progresses the consequences of global climate change will have a major impact on people all around the world. The German government is keen to take international climate diplomacy forward.
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With the relevant agreements having been signed at the beginning of June 2011 during German Foreign Minister Dr. Guide Westerwelle’s visit to New Zealand, the South Pacific island nation now presented itself officially at this year’s Book Fair. Project Leader Tanea Heke promised “a spiritual and sensual feast”.
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Japan's recent nuclear troubles triggered a rethink of a plan to keep Germany's nuclear power plants on line longer. The governing coalition has now established a new timeline for Germany's nuclear shutdown by 2022.
nuclear phaseout by 2022
For the fourth time, Germany has emerged from an international poll conducted by the BBC World Service as “the most popular country”. 62 percent of those surveyed from 27 countries around the world believed that Germany’s influence is positive – three percent more than last year.
Germany’s good image in the world
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