German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul has paid tribute to the service of German civilian experts, police officers and soldiers in international peace missions.
The peacekeepers give Germany’s foreign policy a face and make it tangible, the minister said at the “Peacekeeping Day” event at the Foreign Office in Berlin on Thursday.
Together with representatives from the Interior Ministry and the Defence Ministry, Wadephul honoured peacekeepers for their contributions in international missions abroad, saying they often contribute their expertise under the most adverse conditions, sometimes even at risk to their lives.
This year’s topic of focus, “Peace and Security in Europe,” was intended to highlight Europe’s special responsibility in international crisis management and the contribution of such missions to European security.
For example, Wadephul highlighted a female peacekeeper working in Kosovo as an expert on foreign and security policy, where she deals with countering disinformation from Russia and strengthening societal resilience.
Also honoured were the official responsible for security management at the Rafah border crossing between the southern Gaza Strip and Egypt, as well as a German staff member of the EU Advisory Mission (EUAM) in Ukraine, who works on prosecuting crimes committed in the course of Russia’s war of aggression.
Germany is currently participating in international peace missions with just under 2,100 personnel, including around 270 women.
German federal police officers have been taking part in peacekeeping and peace-maintaining missions in various crisis regions around the world since 1989, while soldiers from the Bundeswehr, the German military also participate in international peace missions.
These generally take place within the framework of multilateral alliances and organizations such as the United Nations, NATO or the European Union.
Even after Germany’s failed bid last week for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council, Germany would continue to use its political weight to “help manage crises, resolve conflicts and end wars,” Wadephul assured.
