Germany and the Developing Countries : Germany

Relations with the developing countries are an important element of German foreign relations. Reducing the prosperity gap between the industrial and developing countries and protecting the natural sources of life are increasingly becoming the crucial tasks of the coming years. Cooperation based on partnership, not least assistance mtended to help the recipients achieve self-sustaining development, serves the common aim of meeting global challenges such as poverty, rapid population growth and the destruction of the environment and ensuring mankind’s survival. Germany’s development Policy focuses on poverty alleviation, environmental and resource protection, and education and training. 40 years of fruitful cooperation prior to unification, the Federal Republic of Germany earned the reputa-tion of a reliable, trustworthy and helpful partner of the nations of the South, where four fifths of the world’s population live.

The developing nations expect united Germany to assume a larger role on the world stage. At the same time, however, they are afraid it might neglect “the South” in favor of “the East” on account of the economic burden of the unification process and the aid provided for the reformist countries of Central and Eastern Europe. Since 1990, the year of unification, the Federal Government has therefore repeatedly reaffirmed its commitments to the developing countries and its intention to further develop and strengthen the existing bonds of friendship.