Before the EU summit next week, Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) outlined his position on the security of Germany and Europe in the Bundestag. The most important points at a glance:
“National defense is alliance defense – and vice versa”
“We do everything that is necessary to protect the security of our country against any threat,” says Scholz right at the beginning of his government statement, and shortly thereafter adds: “You can rely on Germany, we act in a European and international manner.” Cooperation within institutions such as the EU and NATO runs through the entire speech. Europe should strengthen its role in NATO and, for example, accelerate production in the defense industry. The Bundeswehr should be “guarantor of conventional defense in Europe” and must be strengthened for this.
In view of the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine, Scholz speaks of “threats directed against us and our allies”. He says: “National defense is alliance defense – and vice versa”
“We stand firmly with Ukraine”
Germany will support Ukraine “as long as necessary,” Scholz emphasized again in the Bundestag. He emphasizes the financial and military support, but also draws a clear line: As far as Ukraine’s NATO membership is concerned, one must “take a sober look at the current situation.” The country itself has determined that joining NATO during the war is out of the question.
He is therefore promoting the NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, in mid-July to concentrate on “what now has absolute priority: namely, strengthening Ukraine’s actual combat capability.” In Lithuania, the focus will be on how Ukraine can be brought into the alliance and what security guarantees can be given after the war is over. However, the formal invitation to NATO desired by Ukraine will probably not come about.
In close cooperation with the United States, the German government wants to support Ukraine, says Scholz, and at the same time ensure that the war “does not escalate into a conflict between Russia and NATO. It is not and will not be.”
“No country is another’s backyard”
Economically, China is an important partner for Germany and Europe. At the same time, the federal government also sees the country as a competitor and systemic rival. Scholz emphasized in the Bundestag that Germany and the western states do not want to decouple themselves from China, but want to reduce dependencies. “None of us want to hinder China’s economic development.”
However, the West takes a critical view of the conflicts over Beijing’s territorial claims in the South China Sea: “No country is the backyard of another – that applies in Europe just as much as it does around the world,” says Scholz, and warns the Chinese government: “All unilateral attempts to change the status We firmly reject the idea of using force or coercion to change the quo in the East and South China Seas. This applies in particular to Taiwan.” China regards Taiwan as a breakaway province and has not ruled out the use of force if it is reunited.
Scholz also addresses the “human rights situation and the state of the rule of law in China”. You look at it “with concern”. This was also a topic of the German-Chinese government consultations this week. Because of the bilateral talks, the federal government is accused of taking a German-Chinese special path. Scholz says that he had previously coordinated with many EU partners. German policy is embedded in a common EU-China policy.
“This is a historic decision”
The European asylum compromise is dividing the federal government: parts of the Greens in particular are critical of the tightening of the asylum law decided by the EU interior ministers with German approval. For example, asylum applications from migrants who come from countries of origin with a recognition rate of less than 20 percent are to be examined at the EU’s external borders within twelve weeks. During this time, they want to force those seeking protection to stay in strictly controlled reception facilities.
Scholz supports the agreement in the Bundestag: “Everyone had to make compromises, including Germany. But that was right – in the interest of Europe’s unity and ability to act.” Germany will be relieved by the new system, “because so far we have been the main target for largely uncontrolled internal migration within the Schengen area.” At the EU summit he will defend the reform “out of conviction”.