Germany pledges more robust foreign policy

Germany’s US and European allies welcome Berlin’s promise of a more robust foreign and security policy, but with no appetite at home for troops to fight, it may mean little more than extra logistical help and tougher rhetoric.

At this year’s security conference in Munich, where 11 years ago pacifist-turned-foreign minister Joschka Fischer told US defence secretary Donald Rumsfeld “excuse me, I am not convinced” about the war in Iraq, Germany promised its knee-jerk reaction would no longer be a ‘no’ to overseas missions.

“In my view, to be a good partner Germany should get involved more quickly, more decisively and more substantially,” said head of state President Joachim Gauck, in a message that was reinforced by the German foreign and defence ministers.