Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany London

Federal Foreign Minister Westerwelle met President Karsai in Kabul

Afghanistan: Much expected of President Karzai

Federal Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle attended the celebrations to mark the inauguration in Kabul of the re-elected President, Hamid Karzai. He expressly welcomed Karzai’s speech: “That was a speech with the right priorites which fulfil our expectations". Following talks with Karzai, Westerwelle visited the German base in Mazar-e-Sharif.

Please note that the consular section will be closed between 24 December 2009 and 3 January 2010 for the Christmas Holidays.

Federal Foreign Minister Westerwelle welcomes EU-Council decision

On 19 November the EU´s heads of state and government appointed Herman Van Rompuy permanent President of the European Council, and Catherine Ashton High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs. Both posts will come into force as a result of the Lisbon Treaty on 1 December 2009. Federal Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle delivered the following statement today, 20 November, before heading to Moscow for his inaugural visit:

EU Foreign Ministers meeting in Brussels

A chapter in European history came to an end in Brussels: the Foreign Ministers met for their last Council meeting before the Lisbon Treaty brings new rules into force on 1 December. Minister of State Werner Hoyer described this as a “quantum leap in the European Union”. One important issue discussed during the Council meeting was Afghanistan.

For a successful climate conference

There is now a month to Copenhagen. We want, and the world needs, a global deal in Copenhagen that is ambitious and fair. We want this because climate change is not just a planetary emergency but a human emergency. The poorest people are those who are most vulnerable to the impact of climate change. The test we face in December at Copenhagen is a test of our ability to rise to a challenge recognised to be a defining one for our generation.

Ambassador Boomgaarden and Councillor Mike Whitby try Glühwein

Ambassador Boomgaarden opened German Christmas Market in Birmingham

On 13 November Ambassador Boomgaarden together with Lord Mayor Michael Wilkes officially opened Birmingham's Frankfurt Christmas Market, the largest outdoor Christmas Market in the country. Birmingham has been twinned with Frankfurt for more than 40 years.

Ice Wall in London commemorates the fall of the Berlin Wall

On 9 November 2009 at 10.30 am, Lord Mayor of Westminster Councillor Duncan Sandys together with Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Ben Bradshaw and German Ambassador Georg Boomgaarden commemorated the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall against the backdrop of an 11.5 ft Ice Wall art installation opposite the German Embassy in Belgrave Square.

"Work in Progress"