Foreign Minister Gabriel on the appointment of Jean‑Yves Le Drian as new French Foreign Minister

Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel issued the following statement today (17 May) during his flight to Washington:

Zusatzinformationen

President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Edouard Philippe today presented the team with which they want to start governing the country. I am especially looking forward to working with Jean‑Yves Le Drian. In him, we have a partner with vast political experience who has earned great acclaim, most recently as Defence Minister. What we need to do now is keep moving Europe forward together, take the initiative and get the Franco-German engine revving at top speed. That is the goal we share and I am sure that we can continue seamlessly with the wonderful cooperation with him.

I extend a warm invitation to him that we meet for talks very soon.

We want now to develop concrete projects and proposals very quickly so that we can chalk up the first successes at the Franco-German Council of Ministers in July.

Germany and France: bilateral relations

from
http://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/EN/Infoservice/Presse/Meldungen/2017/170517-AM-FRA.html?nn=479796

World’s largest health big data institute opens in Oxford

from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZYMsBClyz8

Foreign Minister Gabriel ready to depart for the United States and Mexico

Before leaving on a trip to the United States and Mexico, Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel gave the following statement today (17 May):

Zusatzinformationen

“I will today be making my second trip to Washington since the new administration took office. I want to reaffirm that we are interested in good and close transatlantic relations based on trust, and I want to deepen our conversation with our American partners.

Since President Trump assumed office, many members of the new US administration have made clear – also after intensive discussions with us – that they have a great interest in a united and strong Europe, and that they fully support the transatlantic partnership we have in NATO. All of this is good, and must by no means be taken for granted. We are, however, concerned by the fact that Washington is not firmly committed to free trade, as became evident recently during the meeting of G7 finance ministers.

Everyone benefits from open markets and from a fair, multilateral trade system. German corporations’ role in the United States is not only competitive. Through investments and innovation, we create hundreds of thousands of jobs and apprenticeships there. That’s why I’m pleased we will have the opportunity to visit Pittsburgh, where we will see first hand how structural change can succeed, also with the participation of German firms.

Afterwards, I will on Thursday evening be travelling to Mexico, an important partner in the G20 and the OECD, as well as one of the most important countries in the world for German foreign investment. Mexico is already home to some 2000 companies in which German corporations hold an interest. I am also glad that, next year, Mexico will be the first Partner Country from Latin America at HANNOVER MESSE, where it can showcase itself as a prime location for business and investment.”

from
http://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/EN/Infoservice/Presse/Meldungen/2017/170517_BM_USA.html?nn=479796

In Italy even a sacred knife is prohibited on the streets

In Italy, you cannot go around with a knife on you, claiming it is a religious symbol. The Supreme Court just recently rejected the appeal ...

from
http://www.west-info.eu/in-italy-even-a-sacred-knife-is-prohibited-on-the-streets/

New generation geishas seem like innocent school girls

In Japan, under an innocent school uniform, with a sailor motif, there is a baby prostitute. At least this is what the no profit association ...

from
http://www.west-info.eu/new-generation-geishas-seem-like-innocent-school-girls/

The pimps are left behind for new type of workers’ cooperative

The first house of prostitution managed entirely by the female workers themselves, through their own foundation has opened in Amsterdam. My Red Light, is the ...

from
http://www.west-info.eu/the-pimps-are-left-behind-for-new-type-of-workers-cooperative/

Statement by Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel prior to his meeting with Prime Minister of Yemen Ahmed bin Dagher

Prior to his meeting today (16 May) with the Prime Minister of Yemen, Ahmed bin Dagher, Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel issued the following statement:

Zusatzinformationen

The people of Yemen are in a desperate situation. They face the threats of hunger, disease – for example, the current cholera outbreak – and, all too often, ongoing fighting.

Therefore, it is right for us to help wherever we can, including by increasing Germany’s humanitarian aid for Yemen in 2017 to 125 million euros. This makes us the third-largest donor. As essential as our aid is for the survival of the people in Yemen, it is also clear that the solution cannot be to accept the armed conflict and limit our efforts to humanitarian aid. On the contrary – we must continue to actively seek both political solutions and possibilities for compromise. This is the only way to enable a return to the negotiation process.

I have made an offer to UN Secretary‑General António Guterres, saying that Germany, as part of the effort to initiate a political process at the negotiation table, is prepared to assume an active role. We are willing to do so also because we are in contact with, and held in high regard by, neighbouring countries.

All parties to the conflict have a responsibility, in the interest of those who are suffering in Yemen, to stop playing for time and immediately cease all hostilities. The parties must make a serious effort to finally achieve progress towards resolving the deep intra‑Yemeni conflict. Considering the dreadful situation and that the international humanitarian community has shown solidarity for, and willingness to help, Yemen, we have very clear expectations in this regard.

We strongly support the mediation efforts of UN Special Envoy for Yemen, Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed. This week, high‑level representatives of Yemeni parties will again be coming to Berlin for an informal dialogue. This meeting will for the first time include representatives from the region.

from
http://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/EN/Infoservice/Presse/Meldungen/2017/170516-PM-YEM.html?nn=479796