Germany’s Zeitenwende: Setting New Priorities in Foreign, Security, and Energy Policy

Join the World Affairs Council of Charlotte in partnership with the American Council of Germany (ACG) for a conversation with German Ambassador (ret.) Stefan Schlüter, Program Director at the Diplomatic Academy of the German Foreign Office in Berlin on Friday, October 14 (Luncheon) as part of the Council’s Ambassadors Circle Series program.

On Feb. 27, shocked by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine several days prior, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz stood before an emergency session of the German Bundestag in Berlin. He gave his now-famous Zeitenwende speech, outlining a dramatic shift in German defense policy. In response to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s war of aggression, Scholz promised to increase Germany’s military defense, supply heavy weapons to Ukraine to completely reverse its long-standing arms export policy, and transform its foreign affairs engagement and strategies. Taken together, these measures mark critical changes in Germany’s foreign policy since World War II which focused on change through trade and political and military restraint.

What does this mean for Germany’s standing in Europe and what is the impact to the rest of the region? As a long standing career diplomat and international relations expert, Ambassador Schlüter will offer his insight into Germany’s role in the world as it resets and reprioritizes its long-term goals for foreign, security, and energy policy.

Program Partner

Program Information: 

Date:
Friday, October 14, 2022
Lunch & Presentation: 
12:00 – 1:30 p.m.
Location:
Parker Poe Directions and Parking
Cost:
$25 (WACC Member Rate)
$40 (Non-Member Rate)

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