Wednesday, March 1, 2017
Regarding immigration, Trump suprises everyone by announcing a possible Amnesty
In politics, like in history, the extraordinary nature of an event is directly proportional to its improbability. Which is why, after Trump’s speech yesterday, one ...from
http://www.west-info.eu/regarding-immigration-trump-suprises-everyone-by-announcing-a-possible-amnesty/
Joint Statement of the Foreign Ministers of France and Germany on the occasion of the presentation of the White Paper on the future of Europe by the European Commission
Joint Statement of the Foreign Ministers of France and Germany on the occasion of the presentation of the White Paper on the future of Europe by the European Commission
The Foreign Ministers of France and Germany welcome the “White paper on the future of the European Union” presented today by the President of the European Commission.
The White Paper of the European Commission, consistent with the “State of the European Union” speech by President Juncker on 14 September 2016 is an important and valuable contribution to the broader discussion on the future of Europe, its project and its functioning, in the run-up to the 60th anniversary of the Rome treaties on March 25. It directly echoes the dynamics that have been launched since Bratislava and that was continued in Valetta, which aimed at reaching clear and concrete results to the benefit of European citizens.
As threats are growing, both internally and externally, Germany and France share the same conviction: our best protection and our best asset for the future is a stronger European Union.
We must further concentrate the EU’s activities on today’s main challenges : strengthening the EU’s role as a foreign policy actor in the neighborhood and on the global scale ; ensuring the security of our citizens in the face of growing external and internal threats including through EU’s defence policy ; establishing a stable and cooperative framework to deal with migration and refugee flows ; boost the European economy through promoting the convergence of our economies and European oriented investment while reinforcing the European social market economy, a sustainable and job-creating growth and advancing towards the completion of the European Monetary Union.
Given the huge challenges Europe is facing, we are firmly convinced that we should not scale back our ambition regarding the European project. The EU is much more than a single market. It is based on a fundament of common values, solidarity and the rule of law. We recognize that today’s challenges require a better European Union. Sharing these convictions gives us a historical responsibility to constantly improve the functioning of our Union and the protection of our common values and principles. The Commission’s options to foster new ways to act more efficiently will be very useful in this perspective. While not stepping back from what we have achieved, we also have to find better ways of dealing with different levels of ambition amongst Member States so as to ensure that Europe delivers better on the expectations of all European citizens.
The Rome Summit on the 25th of March will be a unique opportunity to give a new impetus to the EU by addressing the challenges ahead. Both Germany and France are deeply committed to the success of this process.
external link, opens in new windowMore information and download of the White Paper
from
http://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/EN/Infoservice/Presse/Meldungen/2017/170301_gem_Erkl_DEU-FRA_zu_Wei%C3%9Fbuch_Zukunft_EU.html?nn=479796
A look at U.S.’s historically black colleges and universities
Howard University will celebrate its 150th anniversary on March 2. Founded in 1867, the Washington, D.C., university has become one of the largest historically black ...from
http://www.west-info.eu/a-look-at-u-s-s-historically-black-colleges-and-universities/
Foreign Minister Gabriel on the Deniz Yücel case
Foreign Minister Gabriel on the Deniz Yücel case
Foreign Minister Gabriel commented as follows today (28 February):
Zusatzinformationen
Deniz Yücel turned himself in to the Turkish authorities in Istanbul almost exactly two weeks ago.
Deniz Yücel did not run away. He was and remains willing to answer the questions put to him in the investigation.
For almost two weeks, nothing at all happened. He was not interviewed. No attempts were made to investigate. And then, yesterday, a Turkish judge ordered that Deniz Yücel be detained for an indefinite period.
In the light of our firmly held convictions, this decision is not just disappointing, but unnecessary and disproportionate.
Working journalists enjoy constitutional protection in the form of freedom of the press and freedom of opinion not just in Germany, but also in Turkey.
In all measures taken by the state, especially in the context of criminal justice, freedom of the press and freedom of opinion are precious commodities that must be taken into consideration. The criminal justice system must not be misused against journalists in any country that claims to be a democracy and to uphold human rights.
It is important for the Turkish Government to be aware of our position, and not just from newspaper or TV reports, but through direct talks. This is not just our conviction. It is a precept shared by Europe as a whole. That is why, at my request, State Secretary Walter Lindner today asked the Turkish Ambassador to come to us here in the Federal Foreign Office for talks an hour ago, in order to communicate this clear position face to face.
In the course of this conversation we clearly stated our position, and particularly stressed the following three points.
1. The treatment of Deniz Yücel clearly highlights the fact that in our two countries significant differences exist when it comes to applying rule of law principles and how we regard freedom of the press and freedom of opinion. The outpouring of solidarity for Deniz Yücel is an expression of fundamental values and deeply held convictions.
2. It has to be clear to Turkey that these are by no means easy times for German-Turkish relations, and that the Deniz Yücel case is now making everything much harder yet. I want to say more here, speaking personally. In these difficult times there are people who insist on fuelling confrontation, but there are also many people, in Germany and in Turkey, who are endeavouring to ensure that reason prevails in our relations. They know there are differences between the two countries, they are aware of the dangers posed by current developments, but they also know that we are neighbours, and that we will not be able to alter that fact. The latest development in the Deniz Yücel case makes matters infinitely more difficult for all those who call for rational conduct, for all those who endeavour to tread the path of understanding in spite of all the difficulties. It is a development that snubs well-meaning individuals on both sides and makes work on a rational relationship extraordinarily difficult.
3. We insisted that we should now have full consular access to Deniz Yücel, so that German consular officers will be able to afford him the best possible assistance during his imprisonment in Istanbul.
The German Government as a whole, and myself personally, are doing our utmost to ensure that Deniz Yücel is released as soon as possible and that a solution is found which is good for Deniz Yücel, for freedom of the press and freedom of opinion, and for German-Turkish relations. Our relations are now facing one of their greatest tests of the present age.
from
http://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/EN/Infoservice/Presse/Meldungen/2017/170228_BM_Yuecel.html?nn=479796
Tuesday, February 28, 2017
Foreign Minister Gabriel on the latest developments in the case of Deniz Yücel
Foreign Minister Gabriel on the latest developments in the case of Deniz Yücel
Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel issued the following statement this evening (27 February) on the decisions by the Turkish judicial authorities concerning Deniz Yücel:
Zusatzinformationen
I am deeply disappointed by the news from Istanbul. After two weeks in police custody, Deniz Yücel will now be held on remand for an indefinite period. This decision is far too severe and therefore also disproportionate. It neither takes into account freedom of the press and freedom of opinion, precious commodities in every democracy, nor the fact that Deniz Yücel handed himself in to the Turkish authorities and has stated his readiness to cooperate fully with the investigation.
These are dramatic times for Turkey, as well as difficult times for German-Turkish relations.
The case of Deniz Yücel drastically highlights the differences which our two countries evidently have when it comes to applying rule of law principles and how we regard freedom of the press and freedom of opinion.
We have every reason to raise this issue with Turkey and to make our views known in no uncertain terms.
We are determined to do everything we can to ensure that Deniz Yücel is set free soon and that the proceedings end well.
from
http://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/EN/Infoservice/Presse/Meldungen/2017/170227_BM_Yuecel.html?nn=479796
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