Ambassador Kay Bailey Hutchison, Permanent Representative of the United States to NATO.
By Guido Lanfranchi.
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization is getting ready for the celebration of its 70th anniversary. Foreign Ministers and diplomats from all allied countries will gather in Washington, D.C. on April 3rd-4th, with the double aim of celebrating the organization’s anniversary and discussing issues such as burden sharing, counterterrorism, and emerging threats.
It was on April 4th, 1949, in the wake of World War II, that twelve European and North American states officially signed the North Atlantic Treaty, thus establishing the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, NATO. Today, seventy years later, the organization is getting ready to celebrate its anniversary in the Mellon Auditorium, Washington D.C., the very same place where the treaty was signed seventy years ago. Underlining the importance of such event, Foreign Ministers and high-level diplomats from the now twenty-nine NATO allies will gather in Washington for the occasion, which will be also used for discussing the current and future challenges of the organization in a rapidly changing global scenario.
On the eve of the Ministerial, the Permanent Representative of the United States to NATO, Ambassador Kay Bailey Hutchison, briefed the press on the upcoming event. She praised the organization for being “the longest standing military alliance in the history of the world” and stressed that “together we are able to do so much more than any of us could do alone”. Moreover, she also welcomed the invitation extended by the U.S. Congress to NATO Secretary General, Mr. Jens Stoltenberg, to speak in front of its joint session, stressing the unprecedented character of such event and the U.S. Congress’ strong commitment to NATO.
Ambassador Hutchison also outlined the major topics that will be tackled in the Ministerial of April 3rd-4th. She announced that discussions on burden sharing among NATO allies, in terms of both capabilities and expenditure, will feature in the agenda. Moreover, Foreign Ministers will discuss counterterrorism, a very sensitive topic on account of the terrorist attacks that have happened in several NATO countries. Finally, the Ministerial will also be focused on emerging threats, in order to ensure that the alliance takes “the necessary steps to be strong and allied against any risk in the future”.
While keeping an eye on the future, NATO Foreign Ministers will also focus on the challenges faced by NATO in the present. Ambassador Hutchison underlined the threat posed by “a more aggressive Russia” and its involvement in Ukraine. In this regard, she welcomed the recent imposition of sanctions by some NATO members, and announced the plan to shore up the Ukrainian defenses and increase surveillance in the Black Sea.
Questioned about potential sources of disunity within NATO, Ambassador Hutchison stressed that, in spite of some natural internal disagreements, NATO allies remain a very united military front against any external threats. She welcomed the cooperation with several NATO allies, stressing the importance of their cooperation with the organization, and welcomed the progress achieved by countries such as Ukraine and Georgia in making steps forward towards joining NATO. In the meanwhile – she noted – the ratification procedure for the accession of North Macedonia is proceeding, with the U.S. Senate expected to hold a vote on the issue in Fall 2019.
As the Foreign Ministerial and the 70th anniversary celebrations will wind down, the organization will start its preparation for the following major meeting, the Leaders’ Summit to be held in London towards the end of the year. This occasion – Ambassador Hutchison noted – will be another occasion to celebrate the role of NATO, and to strengthen even more the partnership between NATO allies. Beyond its 70th anniversary, NATO continues to be a big actor on the global stage.
In late March, the United States Treasury further increased its economic and financial pressure on Iran. The most recent measures consisted of sanctions towards a network funding Iran’s armed forces, as well as of enhanced warnings for private companies engaging with Iranian entities.
Since May 2018, when the United States decided to withdraw from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, also known as the Iran Nuclear Deal, the U.S. Treasury has been busy with devising and implementing a set of measures aimed at depriving the Iranian government from its sources of revenue.
Speaking to the press during a trip to South and South-East Asia, Ms. Sigal Mandelker, Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence at the U.S. Treasury Department, outlined to the press the most recent set of measures, which took effect as of March 26th.
The most recent sanctions imposed by the U.S. Treasury targeted a network of 25 individuals and entities from Iran, the United Arab Emirates, and Turkey, allegedly involved in the transfer of over a billion dollars to Iran’s armed forces, notably to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Iran’s Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics (MODAFL). This network was devised by the Iranian government to provide support to the IRGC and Iran’s foreign fighters abroad, including in Syria – Ms. Mandelker explained, noting that similar patterns of behaviour had already been observed over the past years.
Under Secretary Mandelker described the mechanism employed by the network, which consisted of front companies set up by the Iranian entity Ansar Bank and its subsidiary Ansar Exchange. These entities allegedly trafficked in rials, dollars, euros, and gold, in order to provide large amounts of money, amounting to over a billion dollars, to Iran’s armed groups, such as the IRGC and MODAFL. These military entities are largely involved in Iran’s military efforts in the region – Ms. Mandelker noted, stressing that both entities were also designated under the European Union’s non-proliferation sanctions authorities in 2011.
In addition to such measures, at the end of March the U.S. Treasury also updated its Maritime Advisory of November 2018. Back then, the U.S. administration had warned private companies, and especially shipping companies, about alleged oil-for-terror schemes, in which the Iranian government would ship oil to countries in the Middle East in exchange for money to its military proxies, such as Hezbollah, Hamas and the Quds Force. In the March update, the Treasury highlighted the presence of additional risks related to Iranian oil’s shipping to Syria, providing guidance to companies on how to mitigate risks and warning them against conducting business with Iran.
Such actions – Ms. Mandelker reiterated – are part of the broader U.S. campaign to put “unprecedented maximum pressure” on Iran and its government. The standoff between the United States and Iran seems set to continue at a very high level.
THE HAGUE, Netherlands — 5 April 2019 — The Director-General of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), H.E. Mr Fernando Arias, met the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, H.E. Mr Sergey Lavrov, in Moscow on 2 April. During his visit, he also met with the Minister of Trade and Industry, H.E. Mr Denis Manturov, and senior officials at the Ministry of Defence.
The Director-General updated the Foreign Minister on progress made in the implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention, including OPCW’s on-going work in the Syrian Arab Republic, and the efforts to develop essential capabilities for preventing the re-emergence of chemical weapons. The Minister and the Director-General also discussed ways to further promote cooperation among OPCW Member States.
The Director-General highlighted the need for all 193 OPCW Member States to undertake serious and concerted efforts to support the work of the OPCW as the world’s trusted authority in chemical weapons.
The Director-General said: “The OPCW has been and must remain the viable multilateral forum for constructive dialogue and cooperation on all chemical weapons issues.
The verified completion of the destruction of Russia’s declared chemical weapons programme has been a major milestone in the achievement of the goals of the Chemical Weapons Convention. As we move forward, I appreciate the efforts of everyone committed to upholding the principle that the use of chemical weapons by anyone and under any circumstances is impermissible.”
When a man starts shooting around to kill people he doesn’t know, for terroristic purposes or just because he is crazy, he receives all the public attention he is looking for but does not deserve. This poses a challenge for governments.
Will they take a high profile in order to look vigorous and decisive, even when that is exactly what the terrorists hope for, because it heightens their profile too? Or can they withstand that pressure and, while giving high priority to the prevention of such attacks, put these risks into a realistic perspective?
A useful way to put them into a realistic perspective is to look at the reports of the Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), an institute that was founded in 2007 with a large grant of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. This institute produces the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors (GBD) study, based on a database that includes almost 800 million deaths.
The aim of this study is to compare the effects of diseases and risks that kill people prematurely and cause ill health. It looks both at the direct causes of death, such as diseases, and at the factors that increase the risk of a disease, such as eating too much salt (3 million deaths in 2017).
We will first look at a selection of the direct causes of death in the world in 2016 (round numbers in thousands and as a percentage of all deaths):
Heart diseases 17650 32,26 %
Cancer 8930 16,32 %
Road incidents 1340 2,45 %
AIDS 1030 1,89 %
Suicide 817 1,49 %
Murder 391 0,71 %
Conflicts 116 0,21 %
Terrorism 35 0,06 %
Natural disasters 7 0,01 %
It should be noted that these are global figures and that they vary significantly by country. Terrorists, for example, are mainly active in countries like Afghanistan and Iraq. In rich countries the dominant risk factors are unhealthy diets, smoking and alcohol, while lack of facilities to wash your hands is only a high risk in very poor countries.
Let us now look at the factors that increase the risk of a premature death. Be aware that when two risks interact, the resulting death appears twice. Somebody who is obese might, for example, do little physical exercise. The deaths caused by these two risk factors should therefore not simply be added up.
Number of deaths by a selection of risk factors in 2016 (round numbers in thousands):
Smoking 6320
High Body Mass Index (obesity) 4530
Outdoor air pollution 4090
Alcohol use 2810
Household air pollution 2580
Diet low in fruit 2360
Diet low in vegetables 1520
Low physical activity 1370
Unsafe sex 1100
Second hand smoke 884
No access to hand washing facility 750
The outcome of very recent research is that unhealthy eating habits and air pollution are probably even more deadly than reflected in the figures of 2016. According to these reports unhealthy eating habits account globally for one in every five deaths, while air pollution reduced global life expectancy in 2017 by an average of 20 months.
So, who are the people that endanger our life?
When you have the privilege of living in a rich country, the person you have to fear most is the one that makes you smoke and drink and eat unhealthy, such as too little whole grains (3 million deaths in 2017). And who is that person?
Air pollution and traffic accidents cannot be simply solved by changing our individual lifestyle, but require action at a local, national or even global level. But also these risks are mainly caused by ourselves and people like us. In short, the people we have to fear most are ourselves.
Does this mean that we can ignore terrorists? Of course not, but we should not grant them the privilege of being made more important than they are.
A few months after the execution of exercise Trident Juncture, NATO is preparing for the annual exercise Baltic Operations, also known as BALTOPS. For the first time, this exercise will feature the presence of the U.S. 2nd Fleet, under the command of Vice Admiral Andrew Lewis.
The organization phase of exercise Baltic Operations 2019 is nearing its completion, with the Final Planning Conference scheduled in these days in Vilnius, Lithuania. The execution of BALTOPS is not anything new, as the exercise is coming this year to its 47th iteration. However, for the first time the 2019 edition of the exercise will feature the presence of the U.S. 2nd Fleet, under the command of Vice Admiral Andrew Lewis. The 2nd Fleet has been deployed to Europe since summer 2018 – Admiral Lewis explained – on account of the changing security environment, with a focus on operations in the Atlantic and in the Arctic.
While the 2nd Fleet is new in the European theatre, it will operate in coordination with a “practiced team of professionals” – Admiral Lewis noted, praising the cooperation between NATO allies in the organization of BALTOPS 2019. In the occasion of NATO’s 70th anniversary, remembering the importance of such cooperation is all the more salient – Admiral Lewis reminded, focusing in particular on the Baltic states’ contribution to the strength of the Alliance.
These words of praise were widely echoed by U.K. Rear Admiral Andy Burns, Admiral Lewis’ Deputy for BALTOPS 2019, who warmly welcomed the deployment of the U.S. 2nd Fleet in Europe. Read Admiral Burns underlined how his role as Deputy is a sign of the tight partnership between the U.K. and the U.S., as well as of the commitment of both nations to the security of the Baltic states.
He also provided a brief description of the BALTOPS exercise, which will include the deployment of air, maritime and ground forces from 18 nations, with the aim of improving flexibility and interoperability among different forces.
In a context of changing security scenarios and emerging threats, NATO remains committed to the security of all allied countries, and the security of the Baltic states remain a priority for the Alliance.
For 2020 Hermès, the leather luxury brand, has announced that it shall likewise be offering skincare products and cosmetics.
They are in fact, already being developed and formulated in the maison, whereas manufacturing is being carried out by third-party suppliers in France and Italy.
Hermès already has enjoyed a resounding success with a fragrance line, including the best-selling Terre d’Hermès and Twilly d’Hermès. All future packaging will, however, be plastic free to suit the discerning beauty customer.
Josef Geisler, Dr. Christian Rathgeb, Arno Kompatscher, Dr. Brigitta Pallauf, Dr. Markus Söder, Mag. Thomas Stelzer, Marc Mächler and Dr. Florian Herrmann. Picture by Bayern.de
Thursday, 4 April 2018, Free State of Bavaria, Herrenchiemsee, Germany: the seven heads of government, or their representatives of the Alpine region, signed a joint agreement and drew up a declaration to protect the highly sensitive Alpine region as an ecosystem, home to solid and vibrant economies as well as an area for leisure for millions of people.
In attendance to the summit hosted by Bavarian Premier Dr. Markus Söder, seconded by the Minister of State in charge of Federal, European and Media Affairs, Dr. Florian Herrmann, were Tyrol’s Deputy Governor (Landeshauptmann) Josef Geisler, Counsellor of the Canton of Graubünden (of the Grisons), Dr. Christian Rathgeb, the Governor of South Tyrol, Arno Kompatscher, Salzburg’s Diet Speaker, Dr. Brigitta Pallauf, , Governor (Landeshauptmann) of Upper Austria, Mag. Thomas Stelzer, Counsellor of the Canton ofSt. Gallen Marc Mächler. All attending dignitaries were in agreement with the fact that solutions must be sought integrating the entire region to better manage the challenges they face.
Foreign Ministers gathered in Washington D.C. on Thursday (4 April 2019) to mark 70 years since NATO’s founding, and to continue adapting the Alliance. “Over seven decades, NATO has stepped up time and again to keep our people safe, and we will continue to stand together to prevent conflict and preserve peace,” said NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.
Addressing security in the Black Sea region, Ministers agreed a new package of measures to enhance NATO’s situational awareness and strengthen support for the Alliance’s partners in the region, Georgia and Ukraine. This support could include training for maritime forces and coast guards, port visits and exercises, and sharing information.
Ministers also discussed Russia’s ongoing violation of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty. Allies reiterated their call on Russia to return to full and verifiable compliance with the Treaty, and discussed the way forward should Russia not return to compliance. The Secretary General stressed that any response would be “measured and coordinated,” and NATO has no intention to deploy ground-launched nuclear missiles in Europe, but added that NATO will continue to “maintain credible and effective deterrence and defence.”
Later on Thursday, Ministers addressed NATO’s role in the fight against terrorism, and the efforts of the United States to seek a political settlement in Afghanistan. “We went into Afghanistan together, and we agree that we will take any decisions on our future presence together,” said the Secretary General. Ministers also discussed progress in the fight against ISIS, and how NATO is adapting to new terrorist threats and tactics, such as the use of small drones. The Secretary General stressed that NATO will continue to work with partners in the region, training local forces in the fight against terrorism.
Ministers concluded their meeting with a discussion on fairer burden-sharing in the Alliance. The Secretary General welcomed Allied progress, including four consecutive years of rising investment in defence. “Since 2016, European Allies and Canada have added $41 billion dollars to their defence spending; by the end of next year, this will rise to $100 billion,” he said. Mr. Stoltenberg noted that Allies are not only spending more, but also investing in new capabilities and deploying more forces for NATO.
The NATO Secretary General is wrapping up a three-day visit to the United States, where he also addressed a joint meeting of the United States Congress, met with President Trump, took part in a “NATO Engages” conference, and participated in a ceremony to mark 70 years since the signing of the North Atlantic Treaty.
An interview with VI Secretary-General of the
Commonwealth
Diplomat Magazine had the honour of speaking to Her Excellency The Right Honourable The Baroness Patricia Scotland of Asthal, VI Secretary-General of the Commonwealth of Nations in the framework of the 37thACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly held at Bucureşti, Romania (Romanian Presidency of the EU Council/ https://www.romania2019.eu/home/)
DM: Excellency, you are a speaker at ACP-EU
Joint Parliamentary Assembly. Can
you provide an overview of the manner wherein three major multilateral
organisations collaborate? What are the key interests shared by the
Commonwealth of Nations (53 member states), the EU (28 member states) as
well as the ACP Group (79 member states)?
In
fact, there is some overlapping as three EU member states (i.e. the UK, Malta,
Cyprus) belong to the Commonwealth of Nations, and a myriad of Commonwealth
states are likewise ACP Group members, 40 in total. Therefore, there is an
overall interaction that guarantees a constant dialogue, cooperation and useful
interactions. A goal for the organisations is to bring us all to the table to
discuss and hopefully find viable solutions to global issues. All three
organisations are multilateral in nature, nonetheless, the overlapping in
membership guarantees that topics of pivotal importance are brought to the
table many times to ensure that global solutions are sought after for them.
Post-Brexit, the Commonwealth will still have two members within the European Union – Malta and Cyprus. Both have expressed strong interest in working together on behalf of the Commonwealth. Cyprus currently chairs the Board of Governors of the Commonwealth Secretariat, and Malta is a member of the Troika of Commonwealth Chairs-in-Office, as the immediate past-Chair having hosted CHOGM in 2015. Malta also hosts our Commonwealth Small State Centre of Excellence and the Commonwealth Trade Finance Facility.
H.E. Baroness Patricia Scotland of Asthal, VI Secretary-General of the Commonwealth of Nations.
What are in your view the most pressing issues at hand?
Climate
change is a pressing matter, for me it is never far from reality as the
Commonwealth represents so many islands nations directly threatened by it. My
own country of birth of Dominica is struggling with the issue, and Kiribati may
even vanish from the world map owing to climate change. Hence the Commonwealth
is so proactive in pressing forward tangible measures to safeguard security,
trade, peace and stability worldwide. Our Commonwealth Chapter prefigures the
2030 Sustainable Development Agenda and inculcates the Paris Agreement on
Climate Change – and that our member countries work towards collectively and
through mutual support. Counting with the UN, EU, ACP Group of states support
is crucial for the colossal tasks ahead.
Altogether
we have 43 implementation toolkits, and through our online law and climate
change toolkit we are addressing the issue of resilience and disaster risk
reduction from a legal perspective.
Recently Pakistan and India, both Commonwealth member states,
became belligerent and some feared an armed conflict between them. How
does the Commonwealth, and you yourself -if at all- play your diplomatic
cards to harmonise relations, and ensure peace amongst the Commonwealth member
states?
As
a respected institution the Commonwealth Secretariat is often asked to mediate
simmering conflicts behind the scenes. We pride ourselves in a “quite
mediation” role that facilitates for parties to feel at ease in engaging with
us as well as our ability to deal with so many cultures and leaders.
On the contrary the EU is considered to be by itself a peace project owing to progressive economic and political integration, and the fact that there has not been a war or armed conflict amongst its member states. How does the Commonwealth compare itself to the EU in the latter regard? Can it become an even larger, and more globalised guarantor of peace? How far do you see the Commonwealth integrating?
The Commonwealth is home to a third of the world’s population – 60 per cent under 30 years, many of its fastest growing economies, and half of the globe’s top 20 emerging cities. Hence it is for us paramount to maintain peace amongst our members, and promote prosperity. I cannot say how much the Commonwealth as a multilateral institution shall integrate, however, by promoting wellbeing, trade, sports, cultural exchanges, we are able to contribute to global peace.
H.E. Baroness Patricia Scotland of Asthal.
The ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly convenes some of the
world’s most industrialised and well-off states as well as many that are
developing or even in a status of poverty. Whilst bringing them all into a
common setting is relevant, the economical, political, and social
realities are so multifaceted; what is verily accomplished?
There
is an extraordinary contribution of the Joint Parliamentary Assembly in
promoting greater dialogue, cooperation and partnership amongst the ACP Group
of States, the Commonwealth and EU member states under the Cotonou Agreement.
As work proceeds towards renewing collaboration post-2020, it is important that
such a broad and diverse range of voices, views and vision should continue to be
brought together as new partnerships are forged to deliver peace, prosperity
and sustainability for our people and planet, and towards achieving the
Sustainable Development Goals.
Supported
by organisations such as the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and
Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians, the nations and territories of the
Commonwealth collaborate to strengthen parliamentary democracy; and to enhance
active political participation by all our citizens, especially women and young
people.
Under your tenure The Gambia has re-joined the Commonwealth,
Zimbabwe as well as the Maldives have applied to be re-admitted. Do you
see it as a personal accomplishment? How diverse can be the Commonwealth,
or rather do you think there is a limit on how many states can become
members? Within the EU for instance there is a lot of reluctance to admit
new members for the time being. Might you welcome Arab states to join?
Perhaps those erstwhile British protectorates?
There
is no limit as to how many member states we may hold within our family,
however, we do require aspiring states to share in our values, a protection of
the rule of law and respect for human rights as entrenched in our Commonwealth
Chapter are fundamental for membership. Finally, who joins or not is based upon
a unanimous decision by all Commonwealth states. There is no requirement -as
often misunderstood- to have a connection to a British colonial past yet as I
emphasised our common values, aspirations, and respect for human rights must be
respected.
By H.E. Mr. Guido Wolf, Minister of Justice and European Affairs of the State of Baden-Württemberg (Germany).
Baden-Württemberg: “A historical stroke of fortune” in the heart of Europe
Located in the German Southwest, Baden-Württemberg shares borders with the EU members France and Austria as well as with Switzerland as a non-member state. The river Rhine marks the border to France; one of the seats of the European institutions is in Strasbourg on the left bank of the river Rhine.
In 1952, the states of Württemberg-Baden, Baden and Württemberg-Hohenzollern merged to form a single cohesive state in Germany’s Southwest. A historical stroke of fortune – as the German President at the time, Theodor Heuss, himself a son of the region, emphasized. This was the start of a success story: Baden-Württemberg is one of the powerhouses of Germany´s and Europe´s economy.
With 11 million inhabitants, Baden-Württemberg is one of the biggest Länder in Germany. Its surface, as well as its population, is similar to the Kingdom of Belgium. Federal institutions such as the Constitutional Court (Bundesverfassungsgericht), excellent universities – just think of Heidelberg, Tübingen or Freiburg – but also world-leading companies such as Daimler, Bosch, Kärcher, Würth or Porsche have their seat in Baden-Württemberg.
Premier Winfried Kretschmann and Minister Guido Wolf are handing over Baden-Württemberg´s vision for the future of Europe to the President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker. Photography FK-PH.png
Taking over an active role within the federal system of Germany and at EU-level
The Constitution of Baden-Württemberg sets the frame for its government’s pro-European policy-making. As our contribution to the debate of the future of Europe, the government of Baden-Württemberg triggered a discussion process at the end of 2017. One year later, in January 2019 the government presented Baden-Württemberg´s vision for the future of Europe.
In the German Second Chamber – the Bundesrat – the 16 German Länder contribute actively in German – and European – politics and law-making. As Chairman of the EU Committee of the Bundesrat, I am in regular contact with my colleagues from the other German Länder in order to coordinate EU politics at the regional level.
In the European Committee of the Regions, Baden-Württemberg cooperates with the regions and metropolitan areas from other EU states in order to bring the regional and local perspective into the formal decision-making process at the European level.
Baden-Württemberg is indeed very active in Brussels: As a political and administrative representation as well as a showcase for economy, science, and culture, the “Haus Baden-Württemberg” is located in the heart of the European Quarter. A few meters from the European Parliament, the Council-Secretariat, the European Commission, the Committee of the Regions and many permanent representations of EU member states and EU offices of regional and local partners from all across Europe, you can experience Baden-Württemberg in many aspects when visiting the Representation of the State to the EU. Founded in 1987 as a Liaison office the Representation of the State of Baden-Württemberg moved to the current location in Rue Belliard 60-62 in 2004. Today the Representation is Baden-Württemberg´s European platform in the heart of the European Quarter in Brussels; as a guest, you can follow political discussions and presentations as well as enjoy cultural events on our premises.
From the edge of the Black Forest you have a wonderful view into the Rhine valley. On the peninsula of Mainau on Lake Constance you can visit the gardens of the House of Bernadotte, Photography by Achim Mende).png
Baden-Württemberg – Land of innovators and inventors throughout time …
Bright minds from Baden-Württemberg have changed society in the past and will do so in the future … – Robert Bosch, Gottlieb Daimler, Friedrich Schiller, Albert Einstein and many more known and unknown inventors, scientists, artists, poets and writers contributed substantially to science and culture; their efforts changed every-day lives of millions of people. Creativity has a long tradition in our home region: Recently, discoveries from pre-historic times – such as the first flute made out of a bird-bone or artefacts figuring animals – have been made in Baden-Württemberg.
Today, few countries in the world invest as much in research and development as Baden-Württemberg. About 5% of the state’s GDP is invested in R&D, well above the average of other countries and regions. Baden-Württemberg also has one of the highest densities of universities and research institutions in Europe pursuing an extremely broad range of activities. Excellent and inquisitive minds are engaged in basic and applied research at over 100 locations, from universities to international and national big science centers. This setting offers a wide range of challenging opportunities for young and established scientists and academics alike.
The cradle of the automobile“: Mannheim and Stuttgart. In Stuttgart, the capital of Baden-Württemberg, you can learn more about the history of the automobile in the Daimler-Museum and the Museum of Porsche. (Photos: Achim Mende)
Keeping the world mobile: SME´s and global players. Innovation and creativity.
Baden-Württemberg´s automotive industry is a mainstay for growth and wealth. More than any other industry, it stands for innovation, but also identification. Mannheim in Baden and Stuttgart in Württemberg are the cradle of the automobile. Ever since the invention of the automobile, more than 130 years ago, corporations and researchers in Baden-Württemberg have made significant contributions to the shaping of mobility. Today´s challenge is to define and implement the mobility of the future. This challenge can only be faced if all stakeholders in the region work together on new concepts. Our objective is: “Mobility of the future made in Baden-Württemberg”.
Rich in culture and traditions. Rich in nature´s treasures and attractive cities …
Minister Guido Wolf is a regular visitor in the Representation of the State of Baden-Württemberg to the EU in Brussels for meetings, discussions and events. Personal contacts to policy-makers and senior officials at the EU level are crucial with regard to Baden-Württemberg´s interests in the EU. From left to right: Minister Wolf with Commissioner Günther Oettinger; photo right: Bodo Lehmann (Head of the Representation) Martin Selmayr (Secretary-General of the European Commission) Minister Wolf, Anne Gellinek (Director of the German TV-broadcaster ZDF) and Dr Alexandra Zoller (Head of Department “EU-Affairs including the Representation and Tourism” in the Ministry of Justice and European Affairs, Stuttgart). Photo FK/PH
Delightful landscapes such as the Black Forest and the Swabian Alb area, the Neckartal Valley and Lake Constance, Hohenlohe and the Allgäu offer unforgettable impressions just waiting to be discovered. Baden-Württemberg’s mineral spas and convalescent resorts combine health, fitness and beauty with culture, art and culinary delights. To escape the daily treadmill or to improve your health, no other place in Germany has more on offer to pamper the body, the soul or the spirit than the number one spa state: Baden-Württemberg.
Baden-Württemberg´s cities and villages are rich in culture and tradition: The Stuttgart Ballet is world-class, and the State Opera in Stuttgart has been enjoying the reputation as the premier venue in the German-speaking world for many years, voted “Opera of the Year” many times in succession. Further, Stuttgart’s Staatsgalerie is famous for one of the most important Classic Modern collections. However, art and culture are not restricted to the state’s capital. The opposite is true: Baden-Württemberg is home to two state theatres, three regional theatres, nine municipal theatres, the Festspielhaus in Baden-Baden and well over 100 small theatres. A wealth of drama and film festivals, music festivals, musicals, orchestras and cultural initiatives offer plenty of choice when it comes to quality entertainment. Eleven state-run and over 1,000 municipal and private museums supplement Baden-Württemberg’s rich cultural landscape.
Karlsruhe with the historic Castle of the Grand Dukes of Baden; Heidelberg the “Pearl of river Neckar”; Cas-tle of Hohenzollern at the edge of the Swabian Alb. (Photo: Achim Mende)
The Romans, the Staufen dynasty, the Allemannians, dukes and kings have all left their distinct traces on the face of our cultural heritage, for example the Limes as the Roman border wall or the Hohenzollern Castle, seat of the last German imperial dynasty. Alongside historical cities such as Heidelberg, Freiburg or Tübingen, it is the carefully tended villages and urban town centres which depict the true character of our state. A wealth of large and small castles, palaces and ruins bear witness to a rich and eventful history, a heritage which in some cases is still very much alive in our customs and traditions. One such example is the Swabian-Allemannian Fasnacht held before Lent every spring, with traditional costumes and historical wooden masks symbolizing the banishment of winter.
Different, but by no means less enjoyable, ways to spend leisure time are provided by a wide selection of parks and adventure pools, leisure centres, wildlife reserves and zoos, museums, working mills and mines, as well as monuments and memorials.
