Germany - Foreign policy



As chancellor, Schröder must lead Germany through the final stages of European integration, including monetary union. He plans to continue German foreign policy on its present course, including a strong commitment to NATO, to the European Union (EU), and to Russian economic development. Germany accounts for 24% of the GDP of the entire EU and plays a crucial role in the process of European integration. While Germany supports European unification, it is no longer willing to be considered the "rich uncle" of the EU, especially given the economic demands of unification and the heavy investments made for Russian economic development. Germany has demanded that the rules be rewritten for a more equitable distribution of payments among EU members.

Schröder must preside over a Germany that is contemplating a larger, more independent role in international affairs. While the German Constitution bans deploying troops outside of the NATO area, amendments have allowed the use of German troops for United Nations (UN) peace-keeping and humanitarian operations in the Balkans and in Somalia, as well as in the U.S. fight against world terrorism. Schröder expressed support for greater German participation in international operations, saying that he would intervene in the embattled Serbian province of Kosovo if the UN remained silent and other European countries wanted to act. Following the World Trade Center bombing on 11 September 2001, Schröder committed 3,900 troops to the War on Terror in Afghanistan.

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