Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany London

IMO Secretary-General Efthimios E. Mitropoulos (m) and his wife with Ambassador Georg Boomgaarden

Germany chairs IMO Assembly

Ambassador Boomgaarden hosted a reception at the residence on the occasion of the 26^th IMO Assembly on Wednesday, 25 November. Among the guests were IMO Secretary-General Efthimios E. Mitropoulos and delegations of several IMO member states.

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

Westerwelle meets with NATO Secretary General

The NATO mission in Afghanistan and future challenges for the Alliance were the focus of an intensive exchange of views between Federal Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle and NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen. Both policymakers agreed that NATO’s new Strategic Concept needs to define clear security policy positions and chart a path for the future.

Westerwelle: No alternative to a two-state solution

“Only a comprehensive and equitable two-state solution can lead to lasting peace for both Israelis and Palestinians”, Federal Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle underlined following talks with Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad, adding that “to achieve this direct negotiations must resume as quickly as possible”.

50 Years of Bilateral Investment Treaties Conference 2009

This year marks the Golden Jubilee of the first Bilateral Investment Treaty ("BIT"). Signed on 25 November 1959 by the Federal Republic of Germany and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, it formed part of the process of reconstruction in the aftermath of the Second World War.

Chancellor Merkel congratulates Catherine Ashton

Two for Twenty-seven

Angela Merkel congratulates Catherine Ashton on her appointment as High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. Federal Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle also welcomed the European Council’s decision, saying that “I am sure they (Herman Van Rompuy and Catherine Ashton) will carry out their tasks with vigour.”

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.