Focal Areas of Development Cooperation : Germany

Decisions as to which sectors of the economy require priority treatment are made in consultation with the partner country, taking into consideration the development policy concept of the Federal Ministry for medium-sized businesses, the pillars of balanced economic development resistant to crises, are central to our activities. Support for small enterprises is a direct contribution to poverty alleviation. Private-sector involvement is being called for more and more in the context of physical infrastructure and the provision of public services.

The economic upturn of the newly industrialized countries (NICs) in Asia and Latin America has shown the type of dynamic development that can be achieved by extending trade and creating incentives for the deployment of private capital. German development cooperation assumes the function of intermediary and catalyst in the economic sector.

Financial, Technical and Personnel Cooperation : Germany

Financial, technical and (personnel cooperation. With its development policy, the Federal Government sets out to promote economic and social development in the developing countries and thus contribute to improving living conditions. “Sustained success is achievable only if the developing countries’ own resources, especially the capabilities and the knowledge of their people, are better developed and deployed. It is the aim of cooperation td kindle and foster self-help and initiative,” state the undated “Guidelines on Bilateral Financial and Technical Cooperation with Developing Countries”. These guidelines are administrative regula-tions drawn up by the Federal Government and adopted by the ministries involved: the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, the Federal Ministry for Foreign Affairs, the Federal Ministry of Finance and the Federal Ministry of Economics.

“Luxury goods and military goods and installations or contributions destined for such use are excluded from economic cooperation,” state the guidelines. As a rule, the principle of least intervention applies. This means that projects should be planned and implemented as far as possible by the developing country. The Federal Government determines the framework for cooperation, bears the political responsibility and takes control of development policy.

Aims of Development Policy : Germany

It is the developing countries themselves who must decide what they want from development cooperation. The experience of the past decades has shown that the success or failure of development measures hinges primarily on the internal political and economic conditions in the partner countries. Development cooperation can only be effective if the developing countries concerned create conditions which enable the people to employ their skills in a meaningful and worthwhile manner. Experience has shown that such conditions are most likely to be found in countries which have a system that is based on the rule of law and has market elements offering incentives to the people.

The Federal Government Uas therefore designated the five internal conditions nnost conducive to development as criteria for the deployment of instruments and resources. These five criteria, which influence both the type and scope of development cooperation, are:

Cooperation with Developing Countries : Germany

Development policy is part of the Federal Government’s worldwide policy of promoting peace, freedom and stability. It not only fulfills an ethical and moral obligation by aiding people in need but also lies in Germany’s vital interest: in preserving the natural sources of life, averting global threats and ensuring long-term, stable development in our partner countries.

Poverty is one of the menaces that transcend frontiers and have developed into global dangers. Other threats, some of which are closely associated with poverty and jeopardize the survival of humankind, are the increasing worldwide destruction of the environment, climate change, loss of biodiversity, rapid growth of the world’s population, the spread of epidemics, natural disasters, wars, refugee movement and drug production. It is the common responsibility of all states to find the answers to these global challenges. By addressing these threats and attempting to eliminate their causes, development cooperation helps to safeguard our future.

The Bundeswehr and the Community : Germany

In peacetime supreme command of the armed forces lies with the Federal Minister of Defence, in the event of war with the Federal Chancellor. Parliamentary control of the Bundeswehr is exercised by the Bundestag committees, especially the Defence Committee. An important role is also played by the Defence Commissioner of the German Bundestag, who is elected by parliament for a five-year term. His task is to protect the constitutional rights of servicemen. Every member of the armed services has the right to complain to him directly without going through his superiors.

The Commissioner may demand information and access to files from military units and visit any Bundeswehr facility unannounced. He submits an annual report to the Bundestag on the complaints he has received. General conscription indicates a country’s intention to defend itself and at the same time serves to integrate the armed forces into the community as a whole. Apart from having the civic duty to serve in the armed forces, the individual has a basic right to refuse on grounds of conscience. Under Article 4 of the Basic Law, no one may be forced against his conscience into military service involving armed combat. Anyone recognized as a conscientious objector is no longer under obligation to serve in the armed forces. Instead he must complete 13 months of alternative civilian service.

The Bundeswehr and its Mission : Germany

The Bundeswehr consists of modern armed services based on compulsory military service for men. The basic period of military service is presently ten months. There are also career servicemen and others on engagements of up to 15 years. For women there are careers available in the medical and music corps. The civilian staff of the armed forces numbered about 150,000 in mid-1997 and is to be reduced to under 140,000.

The Bundeswehr

2>defends Germany and its people from political blackmail and external danger;

5>promotes Europe’s military stability and integration; 5>defends Germany and its allies;

^â– serves the cause of world peace and international security in accordance with the United Nations Charter; and ^provides support in the event of disasters and other

External Security : Germany

The principal aim of the Federal Republic of Germany’s security policy is to maintain peace and safeguard the country’s freedom and independence. “Maintain peace with fewer weapons” was the Federal Republic’s motto in helping to end the confrontation between East and West. Germany is playing an active role in shaping Europe’s new security relationships. New security structures are emerging.

The Member States of the European Union aim to establish a common foreign and security policy in which the Western European Union (WEU) plays a major role. The close political and military cooperation in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is complemented by cooperation on security matters with the Central and Eastern European countries in the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council (EAPC) and within the framework of the program of the Partnership for Peace (PfP). Separate partnership agreements have been concluded with Russia and Ukraine. Through its involvement in disarmament and arms control, Germany is helping to further stability in Europe.

Prior to unification, Germany undertook by treaty to significantly reduce the size of its armed forces. With 340,000 soldiers, the Bundeswehr of united Germany is thus smaller than the armed forces of the old Federal Republic. Up to 1990 the Bundeswehr had a personnel strength of 490,000, while the National People’s Army (NVA) of the GDR had 1 70,000.
(more…)