German Foreign Relations Since 1945

Despite its bellicose relationship with its neighbors over the past centuries, in the last sixty years, Germany has emerged as one of the great stabilizing forces of Europe. The cornerstone of German foreign relations since then has been its ties to the United States, a nation with great influence around the world. West Germany joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, a coalition of nations gathered together for military purposes, in May of 1955, and has since become a key member of the European Union Defense Force and participated in a number of conflicts as a mediator. Another key element of German foreign relations is its stance on ecological awareness; the Germans are determined to fight global warming and climate change through international ecological regulations.

One of the most important relationships that Germany has formed in the last decades has been with France. German foreign relations with France have directly led to the integration of Europe and the formation of the European Union. Since the ElysA©e Treaty of 1963, which established a new peaceful relationship between Germany and France, Germany has worked to become a unifying force in Europe, and its influence lies behind many of the greatest advances of European unity. Germany has contributed the most of any European country to the budget of the EU, and sponsored initiatives to create the European Defense Force, as well as the international currency, the Euro.

Much of German foreign relations over the past few decades, especially during the era of the Cold War, has been focused on Westbindung, a German word that means “West building,” or the promotion of growth and deepening international relationships in the Western world. To this end, Germany became a member of NATO, and takes an interest in the propagation of free world trade. Germany is also one of the largest contributors to the United Nations budget for Development Aid, which has helped to fund programs in African and Middle Eastern nations.

Since the Reunification, Germany has maintained good relationships with many foreign nations, including the United States, India, Russia, China, and Israel. The German government is also seeking a permanent seat on the UN Security Council, which would require the approval of Russia, China, the United Kingdom, France, and the US. German foreign relations also include participation in the War on Terror, both by supplying combat troops and by keeping its citizens alert to the dangers. Germany also sponsors many different environmental initiatives with other nations.

In the future, German foreign relations will continue to flourish as Germany seeks a more meaningful connection with each of its allies.