Siko boss Wolfgang Ischinger has a grim forecast for the Europeans. Steinmeier speaks of “dark times”. An attempted suicide on the verge of a demonstration caused unrest.
- Friday the 14th of February, starts the in Munich 56th Security Conference,
- There is everything worth knowing about here Siko 2020 in the Bavarian capital. The BR streams the conference live.
- Politicians with rank and name from all over the world talk about global issues – and sources of fire,
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Update at 3.35 p.m .: While the Munich police have released further details of the attempted self-immolation on the verge of a Siko demonstration (we reported) and are generally positive over the weekend, the speaker of the US House of Representatives, Democrat Nancy Pelosi, confirmed in her speech at the end of the Munich Security Conference the United States’ commitment to multilateralism and NATO. “We want to dispel any doubts that the United States appreciates the transatlantic relationship,” said Pelosi.
Siko Munich 2020: Pelosi contradicts Pompeo – and confirms commitment to NATO
By doing so, she indirectly contradicted statements by Secretary of Defense Mike Pompeo the day before. On Saturday, he rejected allegations that the US would refuse to cooperate in the international community. However, he repeatedly focused on the sovereignty of the states. ES Democrat Stephen Lynch told Siko that democracy is under attack today. “The only way to survive is to survive together,” he said.
Earlier on Sunday, the participants in the Berlin Libya conference at Siko in Munich also pledged to abide by the arms embargo against the country in crisis. As Federal Foreign Minister Heiko Maas announced after the meeting, there had also been “very frank” talk about the “not inconsiderable numerous violations of the arms embargo” during the past few weeks. At the same time, the participants had quite different opinions, which led to the violations. Maas also announced that the chair of the Libya follow-up conferences will now change. Next is Italy’s turn, so the next Libya meeting will be in Rome. It is planned for March.
Siko Munich 2020: Police announce new details on suicide – it is not an attack
Update at 1:55 p.m .: The tried self-immolation of an Iraqi at one Demonstration against Munich’s Siko was according to police reports no stop, “He didn’t want to hurt anyone,” said police spokesman Marcus da Gloria Martins. The 50-year-old has been in one since yesterday’s act psychiatric clinic, He tried to commit suicide on the want to draw attention to the political situation in his home country, He was not a participant in the demonstration.
On Saturday the man at Munich’s Karlsplatz suddenly had a good time poured over three liters of gasoline and doing one Lighter in hand held. He called attention to himself by shouting, reported a local police officer on duty. Worse things could be prevented because several officials threw at the 50-year-old and arrested him.
Update at 12.46 p.m .: In the Munich Siko the Palestinian leader has Mohammed Shtaje European politicians asked Donald Trump’s controversial plan to resolve the Middle East conflict loud and clear rejected, There should be no vacuum on this issue, the politician emphasized on Sunday. His conclusion on Trump’s plan: “Nobody takes this seriously.” He is no peace plansaid the politician, but a letter of intent by the U.S. government and Israel to annex 40 percent of the Palestinian country.
Siko Munich 2020: Laschet expresses devastating criticism of Merkel’s European policy – lack of courage and dynamism
Update at 10:59 a.m .: NRW Minister President Armin Laschet moved to the Munich Security Conference on Sunday morning devastating conclusion about Angela Merkel’s European policy, His opinion: you lacks courage, dynamism and speed, “Today the French President makes suggestions, it takes too long for us to react,” criticized Laschet. He also teased that the black and red federal government had written the motto “A new start for Europe” about its coalition agreement, but so far it hadn’t been noticed that much.
In the course of this criticism Laschet also provided one Claim to the Federal Republic, After the Brexit Germany taking on more financial responsibility in Europesays the Prime Minister.
Update at 10.06 a.m .: In the Munich Siko have the morning Follow-up talks on the Libya crisis began. Around a month after the Berlin Libya conference, Heiko Maas (SPD) and numerous foreign ministers from other countries want to continue to fight for one Solution in the crisis region endeavor. But before the meeting started, there was bad news: The UN special envoy for Libya, Ghassan Salamé, had to cancel his planned participation for health reasons cancel at short notice, However, the United Nations are co-organizers of the meeting. Now the deputy special envoy Stephanie Williams is to represent the sick Salamé.
Siko Munich 2020: Meeting ends with discussions on the Libya conflict and the Middle East crisis
Update from February 15, 2020, 8:46 a.m .: The Libya conflict is the last day of Munich Security Conference at the center of the top international meeting. Around a dozen foreign ministers and representatives of international organizations want one Solution for the crisis region ahead. From 9 a.m. the participants meet to discuss the implementation of the resolutions of the Berlin summit to advise four weeks ago. Federal Foreign Ministers will chair the meeting Heiko Maas (SPD) and the United Nations,
It is now a matter of implementing what was decided in Berlin, Maas emphasized. Points of the crisis summit at the time included a Armistice, compliance with the arms embargo as well as the continuation of Talks between the civil war parties, The Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan al-Saud asked in an interview with the news agency dpa Ending outside interference in Libya, He explicitly named Turkey.
Siko Munich 2020: Saudi Foreign Minister criticizes Turkey for interference in the Libyan crisis
“Now come too Troops from Syriaby the Turkey be sent over there, ”he said on the sidelines of the security conference. Of course, none of this helps and would only more instability bring. That also applies to weapons shipments, In addition to the Libya crisis, discussions on the conflict between Israel and Palestine and the situation in Europe are also on the agenda on Sunday.
Update, 8:21 p.m .: The appearances of the Federal Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, France’s head of state Emmanuel Macron and U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo at this year’s Munich Security Conference make it clear that between nations Conflict about the cohesion of the West flared up is.
Already addressed in his opening speech on Friday Steinmeier sharp criticism the United States and accused their President Trump of “the Idea of an international community to “refuse”. He also predicted “dark times” for Europe and spoke of the death of the transatlantic alliance. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo went on a confrontation course at his speech on Saturday and Steinmeier disagreed, “The death of the transatlantic alliance is extremely exaggerated,” said Pompeo.
Siko Munich 2020: Pompeo on Steinmeier’s criticism: does not correspond to reality
Regarding Steinmeier’s criticism of the US government, Pompeo emphasized that this Statements would not correspond to reality, “The West wins and we win together,” predicted the Foreign Minister. He called for trust in the transatlantic alliance and at the same time called for cooperation to Threats from Russia and China, for example counteract.
With Russia criticism also held French President Macron not return in his speeches. He threw Moscow Attempts to destabilize western democracies through hacker attacks. Specifically, he accused Moscow of trying to influence elections and carry out cyber attacks. “I think Russia is trying to continue destabilizing,” said Macron. The nation is behaving in this regard “Very aggressive”,
Siko Munich 2020: Macron sees “weakening of the West” and calls for cooperation
Macron also complained of one “Weakening of the West” in the global world order. He is certain that the US government has reviewed its relationship with Europe. Therefore, the 42-year-old asked for a stronger one Defense cooperation in Europe and also brought nuclear weapons in the game. At the beginning of February, he offered closer cooperation to the European partners on nuclear deterrence.
Steinmeier and Meuse so far responded hesitantwhat Macron also commented on Saturday at Siko. He was not “frustrated”, but “impatient
G” given the waiting for answers from Berlin. In doing so, he referred not only to the current offer of cooperation, but also to European initiatives on his part in recent years.
Siko Munich 2020: China’s foreign minister is angry about Huawei criticism
China’s foreign minister too Wang Yi was at the Munich Siko – and pointed to previously expressed criticism of the two US representatives who came to Siko, Pompeo and Secretary of Defense Mark Esper, angry. Esper had that Chinese technology group Huawwei as a threat to NATO classified. “If we don’t understand the threat and do nothing about it, it could endanger the most successful military alliance in history – NATO,” warned the Secretary of Defense. “You have your Greasing campaigns and their criticism of China repeated again ”, shot Wang Yi back in his speech at the conference.
Munich: On the outskirts of the Siko – man pours himself over with petrol – and tries to light himself
Update from 16:53: Due to the security conference in Munich On Saturday 3000 people gathered for protests in the city center. At the edge of the demonstration, a man, about 50 years old, poured petrol, took a lighter in his hand, and apparently wanted to light himself when the police detained and detained him. According to initial investigations, the Iraqi living in Munich had been on the political situation want to draw attention in his home country.
The protests were peaceful overall, said one police spokesman, Around 2,000 people attended a kick-off rally, as did the closing event after the demonstration. Around 500 participants formed one human chain in downtown. The “Action Alliance against the NATO Security Conference” had called.
Around 3900 police officers should be on weekends during the security conference be in use. This year the organizers expected around 40 heads of state and government and 100 ministers to attend the most important expert meeting on security policy.
On the edge of the Siko: people pour petrol over themselves – and try to light themselves
Update at 3:28 p.m .: At the edge of Munich Security Conference has poured petrol over a person on Saturday, The incident occurred during a demonstration against the meeting of top politicians, the Munich police said on Twitter. However, it is currently unclear whether the person who poured petrol on him was also a participant in the demo and a radical protest against the conference. According to the police, however, the person moved into the gathering and had one lighter with yourself. The police could Prevent lighting,
Siko Munich 2020: Person pours petrol over him – the investigation is ongoing
By toxic fumes the man suffered injuries and was transported to the hospital. It was for now unclear whether she had tried to light herself, The police have the immediately after the incident Investigations included, but before that the medical treatment was in the foreground. Details of the person’s identity are not yet available.
At the meeting against # msc2020, which is currently on #Stachus a person poured petrol on himself and went to the meeting with a lighter in his hand. This could be recognized by police officers. We were able to prevent lighting.# muc1502#siko
– Police Munich (@PolizeiMuenchen) February 15, 2020
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In the Demonstration against the Sikowho on stachus began in Munich, meanwhile, according to police estimates 3000 people part. The meeting moved from Stachus through the pedestrian zone to Marienplatz and arrived at Odeonsplatz around 3 p.m.
Update at 12.19 p.m .: Secretary of State Heiko Maas fears one humanitarian disaster in the Syrian province Idlib, He therefore asked Russia at the Munich Security Conference to work towards an end to the fighting in Idlib. After talking to his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov and the Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Cavasoglu he said: “We are very concerned that there will be a humanitarian catastrophe if the struggles that are going on do not end.”
Munich security conference – demonstration
© dpa / Felix Hörhager
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Siko Munich 2020: Maas warns of further flows of refugees from the Syrian province of Idlib
Of Moscow expect Germany, its Leverage influence on the Syrian government, “so that these Attacks endedcombat operations will be stopped, ”emphasized Maas. “Otherwise, we expect even more people to leave the region.” This is something that no one could be interested in. Also Lavrov and Cavusoglu want to join the Munich Siko comment on the situation in Idlib, Your statements are expected on Sunday. The situation is also tricky because the Turkey in the region supported Islamist rebels, while Russia on the side of the Syrian ruler Bashar al-Assad stands.
The two nations now want Early next week in Moscow about the situation in Idlib speak, According to the latest information from the United Nations, more than 800,000 people have been displaced from Idlib since early December. “Our delegation will travel to Moscow on Monday,” Cavasoglu announced on the outskirts of Munich’s Siko. A Russian delegation had previously been to Ankara. The talks should now continue. Cavusoglu made it clear that the Turkey is not ready. Accepting Syrian government attacks in Idlib, In this context, he also made a clear statement Warning to Russia: If the diplomatic efforts bear no fruit, be Ankara its part ready to take necessary measures,
Mevlüt Cavasoglu and Heiko Maas at Munich Siko.
© AFP / MICHAEL DALDER
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Update at 11.32 a.m .: During his appearance at the Munich Siko warned the French head of state Emmanuel Macron also that the Failure of the Franco-German tandem in the EU “Historical error” would. He also called for a quicker response to his European initiatives. He asked Germany’s “clear answers” and France current problems in Europe, After the financial and migration crisis, many people would have lost faith in democracy, said Macron.
Siko Munich 2020: Macron is “impatiently” waiting for answers from Berlin – also on the subject of nuclear weapons
Since there has often been no response from Berlin to his proposed solutions to these problems in recent years, he is not “frustrated”. but “impatient”, Macron complained that France and Germany had one in their relations “History of Waiting for Answers” have. In the next few years, it will be important to develop “sovereignty at European level” even faster.
A statement by the Federal President preceded these statements Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Federal Foreign Minister Heiko Maas (SPD) at the Munich Siko, where they are reluctant to offer Macron for one strategic dialogue on French nuclear weapons expressed. The two only announced that Germany would take up the proposal.
Siko Munich 2020: Macron talks about strategic dialogue about nuclear weapons
Update at 11.10 a.m .: The French head of state Emmanuel Macron spoke to himself during his conversation Wolfgang Ischinger on the Munich Siko for one Strengthening Europe’s freedom of action out. “I think we need NATO, that’s clear,” he emphasized – but also saidEurope had to protect itself, And that regardless of the United States. France believe in one “Europe of Defense”said Macron.
Macrons also laid out a more open approach to the topic nuclear weapons Near. In this context, he also speaks of one “Strategic dialogue”because France wanted. The country owns since Brexit as the only EU member nuclear weapons. Germany rejects these weapons, however, are strict from, According to Macron’s statement, Ischinger emphasized that Germany fundamentally rejects nuclear weapons.
Munich Siko 2020: Macron complains to Ischinger “weakening of the West”
Update at 10:57 a.m .: In the Munich Security Conference is currently finding the eagerly awaited conversation between France’s president Emmanuel Macron and Siko leader Wolfgang Ischinger instead of. Macron initially complained like Ischinger himself and Frank-Walter Steinmeier “Weakening of the West”,
The role of the West was hotly debated at Munich’s Siko – also by Emmanuel Macron.
© AFP / CHRISTOF STACHE
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Update at 9.57 a.m .: In the Munich Security Conference Secretary of State also spoke on Saturday morning Mike Pompeo, In his speech he has the Criticism by Frank-Walter Steinmeier on the withdrawal of the United States from the international community rejected, “The death of the transatlantic alliance is extremely exaggerated“Said Pompeo. He further emphasized: “The United States will fight with you for freedom and sovereignty.” He also spoke of the fact that the West would expect a bright future.
NATO Secretary General had previously had a similar experience Jens Stoltenberg uttered. “I believe in Europe and America together,” he said at Siko. He called the transatlantic alliance from Europe and North America but also hauntingly to unity and warned that both sides should not compete against each other. The Norwegian also admitted that it was right that the path together was not always easy. However, he also emphasized: “We have not lost our way.”
Siko Munich 2020: Macron caused a stir with statements critical of NATO – what will he say in Munich?
Update from February 15, 2020, 8.32 a.m .: Day two of the Munich Siko is coming up and in the morning one of the most important speakers at the conference, France’s President Emmanuel Macron, expected. The 42-year-old has been causing a stir lately, for example with statements like NATO is “brain dead”, It remains to be seen whether Macron will again make sensational security theses at Siko. Macron received from before German politicians against, So Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier partially contradicted Macron’s recent theses in his opening speech.
The offer of the French head of state to the European partners, at which to work more closely together, SPD faction leader issued Rolf Mützenich already one cancellation, He spoke out against closer cooperation on deterrence with nuclear weapons. Instead, France must also take steps towards one Abolition of its nuclear arsenal company, said Mützenich the dpa. Macron had announced that he wanted disarmament and arms control. This must “also be reflected in French politics in the near future,” said Mützenich.
Siko Munich 2020: Macron is expected on Saturday and there are talks with Turkey
Update at 11 p.m .: What’s next for Siko on Saturday? The 56th Munich Security Conference will continue with an appearance by French President Emmanuel Macron. Macron talks to conference manager Wolfgang Ischinger in the morning. In addition to the international meeting, a meeting between Federal Foreign Minister Heiko Maas (SPD) and his Turkish colleague Mevlüt Cavusoglu is planned, followed by a press conference.
Update at 9:36 p.m .: Right at the start, he spoke to the conscience of the guests and said: “It is not enough for you, the most powerful people in the world, to shrug your shoulders and say: things are the way they are,” Wolfgang Ischinger warned in his greeting to the 56th Munich Security Conference. But who is the conference leader who emphasized that shooting is taking place in Syria, Libya and other conflicts – and “we’re just watching”?
Ischinger is the one former German ambassador in the internationally important capitals Washington and London and not a diplomat who only speaks to his guests by mouth. The 73-year-old finally announced that the world had become a pretty dangerous place (see below). The report of the IISS that the worldwide military spending have increased rather than decreased. The United States and China even invested compared to 2018 6.6 percent more money in their armed forces,
Siko 2020: talk to each other and don’t ignore the opinions of others
As host, Ischinger wants that during the three days in the Bayerischer Hof not on top of each other, but with each other is talked about. But when guests come from China, Russia and Iran, where the powerful are not used to critical questions, it is not always easy. Ischinger’s rules: “We expect our speakers to accept questions.” This is an “interactive conference”. It is about talking to each other and not just giving lectures and ignoring the opinions of others.
Mr. Steinmeier is right, nationalistic thinking is outdated and backwoodsque, the problems of high finance to the Master of the Universe can only be tackled by the planet today, otherwise there will soon be no morehttps://t.co/6zSgCLOlEG
– smidowitz (@ Wulf01092967) February 14, 2020
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Above all, the invitation to the Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammed Javad Sarif had caused criticism. However, Ischinger considers this to be extremely important: “I am deeply convinced that we need to speak and listen to each other.”
Update at 7:32 p.m .: There are detailed details on the Study on the increase in arms spending, In 2019, these have increased worldwide as much as they have not in ten years. There was one compared to last year 4 percent increaseas stated in the study by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) published at the Munich Security Conference. For Europe, the figure is even 4.2 percent. Europe ‘s expenditure was again on the Level before the 2008 financial crisisas IISS Director General John Chipman said.
Munich Security Conference: Heiko Maas calls for stronger NATO
Foreign Minister Heiko Maas (SPD) previously had one stronger German and European engagement in security policy reminded and touted a higher importance of NATO. “We Europeans have closed our eyes too long on the uncomfortable reality that a US withdrawal from military engagement and international contracts means for us,” said Maas at Siko 2020.
Maas called for the “establishment of a European security and defense union – as a strong, European pillar of NATO”. This is the “European policy design task of the 20s”. Germany would also take up the offer of French President Emmanuel Macron for a European strategy dialogue on French nuclear weapons.
Update at 4.42 p.m .: Frank-Walter Steinmeier chose one Rapprochement between the EU and Russia pronounced. “We need a different, better relationship between the EU and Russia and Russia to the European Union,” the President said in his opening speech to the Munich Security Conference, apart from his criticism of the major powers (see previous entry). With an increasing Alienation cannot and should not come to terms with Europe,
On day one of the Munich Security Conference, President Steinmeier issued warning words.
© dpa / Guido Bergmann
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The Russia’s relations with the EU, but also for Nato, have been difficult since 2014 loaded, Moscow is accused of annexing the Ukrainian Black Sea peninsula of Crimea in violation of international law and supporting the pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine. As a result, the EU imposed economic sanctions. NATO expanded its presence in the east of the alliance.
The front woman of the US Democrats,Nancy Pelosi*, raged at the security conference, especially against China and the technology giant Huawei: This may with the 5G technology never get too much power.
Steinmeier at the Munich Security Conference: “Into a dark time”
Update at 2:53 p.m .: With his speech at the opening of the Munich Security Conference Frank-Walter Steinmeier issued an urgent warning and sharp criticism of the world powers, “In this age he leads us Withdrawal into the national in a dead end, in a dark timeSteinmeier emphasized. It is “extremely dangerous” if the trust that has grown worldwide is jeopardized by a “relapse into the thinking of the day before yesterday”. The retreat to a narrowly understood national interest is a hindrance, Steinmeier said. Europe had not moved closer together, the Federal President stated. The responsibility for this would not only be borne by everyone else, he said, thus also judging Criticism of the Federal Republic,
Each of the big players is looking for their own advantages. “This is not a good development for us,” warned Steinmeier and emphasized: “This Europe must not fail.” In addition to Europe, Steinmeier criticized the three world powers in particular. Russia have regardless of international law annexes the Crimea. China accept the International law only selective and even that United States would under the current government of Reject idea of an international community,
Siko 2020 in Munich: Steinmeier criticizes China, Russia and the USA in his opening speech
Update at 2:25 p.m .: At the beginning of Munich Security Conference Has Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier in his opening speech before one “Increasingly destructive dynamics of world politics” warned, “We are moving further and further away from the goal of international cooperation to create a more peaceful world,” he said. “The idea of competition from the major powers shapes reality around the world.”
Security conference 2020 in Munich – the police are alarmed.
© dpa / Sven Hoppe
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The traces could be traced back to the endless
victim-rich wars in the Middle East and Libya, sharp criticism he also served Russia and China, China’s crackdown on minorities in their own country would upset everyone, Steinmeier criticized. And also the United States didn’t get away well in his speech. With regard to the politics of the United States, he spoke among other things of the fact that meanwhile “everyone is the next”.
Siko head Ischinger with a dark forecast for Europeans: “Will still regret it”
Update at 11.40 a.m .: It really starts with the Munich Security Conference only with the opening speech by Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier at 2 p.m. But it is already clear in advance: The motto of Siko, “Westlessness” (in German: “Westlosness”) will be the focus of the conference. Shortly before the conference started, Siko leader criticized Wolfgang Ischinger on Twitter that EU send mainly in Syria conflict a “message of grotesque helplessness” out.
He makes it clear in a post on the social network that he does Doing nothing of the EU in this crisis as “Politically and strategically extremely harmful” considered. It signals: “You can do anything with the Europeans”. In this context, Ischinger also has a grim forecast: “We will regret that”, he writes at the end of his Twitter comment.
And what is the powerful EU of 450 million people doing? Nothing! morally reprehensible and politically-strategically enormously harmful because we send out the message of grotesque helplessness: “You can do anything with the Europeans”. We will regret that. @MunSecConf
– Wolfgang Ischinger (@ischinger) February 12, 2020
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Siko 2020 in Munich: Wolfgang Ischinger warns of the increasing loss of power in the West
In a conversation with Deutschlandfunk (we reported), Ischinger also made statements on Friday morning about the increasing loss of power in the EU. The W
Elt seem “overall less western” to become. A few years ago, many would have assumed that China would orientate itself more towards the west with increasing prosperity. According to Ischinger, however, this had proven to be an error.
Update at 10:24 a.m .: Facebook founder
Mark Zuckerberg comes to Munich Siko this Saturday*. There he probably also wants to limit damage in view of the frustration prevailing in Europe about the inadequate taxation of tech companies operate. Even before he appeared at the security conference Zuckerberg is open to reforming the global tax system, where technology companies are asked to pay more. Because an already known speech by the Facebook boss for his appearance in Munich shows that his online network Reform plans of the industrialized countries organization OECD support.
Siko 2020 in Munich: Facebook boss Zuckerburg is open to the OECD tax reform
“We accept that this could mean a new set of rules, that we will pay more taxes in the future, and in different countries,” says Zuckerberg’s speech. Facebook also wants a tax reform and wants “that the OECD process is successful”. It has been for years Taxing large internet companies is a matter of dispute, US corporations like Facebook have so far hardly paid any taxes in Europe. Discussions are therefore underway in the EU to introduce a digital tax.
After his appearance in the Bavarian capital Zuckerberg continues to Brussels to travel. His company has been to Europe over and over again in recent months massive criticism exposed. First, because that Business model aimed at user data, on the other hand because of the Dealing with hate contributions and political advertising in the social network.
Munich 2020: Siko boss warns of “unusually serious situation” – “… and we are watching!”
Update from February 14, 2020, 9.22 a.m .: Immediately before the start of the Munich Security Conference Has Director Wolfgang Ischinger serious tones struck. On Friday he spoke in the ZDF Morning Magazine from one “Unusually serious situation” in the world. In view of the “very dangerous” international situation, it is important that people speak and not shoot at the political level, Ischinger emphasized. He complained about the conflicts in Libya, Syria and Yemen weak position of the West, In Syria, Libya and other conflicts, “shooting, marching in, war going on,” said Ischinger, adding: “We are watching.”
This is also suitableMunich SIKO’s motto “Westlessness” ( “Westlosigkeit”). With regard to the motto, Ischinger spoke of a “double phenomenon”. On the one hand, there are “signs of disintegration” within the “classic alliance” between the European countries and the USA. On the other hand, however, the world also appears to be becoming “less western overall”.
Security conference 2020 in Munich for the 56th time
First report from February 12:
Munich – If the 56th edition of the security conference their gates will open, it is estimated to be about 40 heads of state and 100 ministers from all over the world expected to be in the Bavarian capital, once again with many traffic jams and demos*, about the most important Conflicts of the earth to discuss. With an extreme view goes Conference leader Wolfgang Ischinger to the public: “We have more crises, more bad crises, more horrific events than you can imagine,” said the former German ambassador in Washington.
Siko 2020 in Munich: Steinmeier opens – Trump is not one of the party
The will open Munich Security Conference 2020 on Friday (14th of February) by Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. A time frame of three days is planned for the meeting of the political elites – for Ischinger hardly enough “to discuss all conflicts in the world”. Nevertheless, the Siko has become the most important global meeting of experts on security policy develops and finds for the 56th time in Munich instead of.
Munich city center turns into a fortress.
The “Munich Security Conference” starts on Friday.
500 decision makers are expected.
More than 4000 police officers will ensure the safety of the guests around the “Hotel Bayerischer Hof”. #siko pic.twitter.com/LLe5LKxyuJ– Media Service Novotny (@MSNovotny) February 11, 2020
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For the first time, too french president Emmanuel Macron on board, last year the head of state had canceled his participation. US President Donald Trump will not be there in 2020, but three American ministers will be guests: Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Secretary of Defense Mark Esper and Minister of Energy Dan Brouillette.
The spokeswoman for the US House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, one of the toughest opponents of US President Donald Trump, will also visit Bavaria for the upcoming Siko. That was not the end of the guest list from the United States: Mitt Romney is the only Republican senator (Trump’s party) on the guest list who voted to impeach the controversial president.
Video: Youtuber behind the scenes of the security conference
Global trouble spots: China, Russia and Iran are taking up positions in Munich
The foreign ministers of China, Russia and Iran – Wang Yi, Sergei Lavrov and Mohammed Javad Sarif – will also arrive for the 56th security conference and enter into dialogue with other representatives of major powers. There are (too) many current trouble spots, including the opaque conflict in Syria, the recent escalation between the United States and Iran, or the Middle East conflict between Israel and Palestine.
Some major Western powers also have a divided relationship with China: after months of frosty relations between Beijing and Berlin, the participation of China’s Wang Yi, who is striving for strategic talks with Foreign Minister Heiko Maas (SPD), is remarkable: The Reich had a meeting scheduled for October last year in the middle of anger at a Meuse meeting with Joshua Wong, leader of the Hong Kong democracy movement, relations have been tense since then.
At the 56th Munich Security Conference, almost 4,000 police officers from several federal states are to be deployed.
© dpa / Matthias Balk
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The Munich Security Conference will also discuss Chinese efforts to combat the new corona virus and international cooperation in this case. By contrast, Kim Son Gyong, North Korea’s deputy foreign minister, has canceled. The country of dictator Kim Jong-un was invited to Munich for the first time in 2020, but subsequently withdrew his first commitment.
Do “AKK” and Söder advise on the future of the CDU at the security conference?
Not only the political development in other countries is on the agenda in Munich: According to reports, the leadership crisis in the CDU (international press) on the margins of the security conference will be an issue: It is likely that Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer will play her part shocked with the resignation from the federal presidency, meets with CSU boss Markus Söder.
According to the police headquarters, almost 4,000 police officers will be deployed around Munich’s Siko. The local forces therefore maintain personnel support from eight federal states. The main task is to protect the high-ranking politicians present, said Marcus da Gloria Martins. The announced demonstrations against the “SiKo” are less of a problem, according to the police spokesman.
Last year, five young YouTubers were allowed to look behind the scenes of the Munich Security Conference and interview important participants. Kiev Mayor Vitali Klitschko made an interesting comparison of politics in his home country Ukraine.
While everything in Munich on the weekend revolves around the topic of security, CSU politician Horst Seehofer is also concerned about this topic. Because he warns of another refugee crisis. We would experience a second in 2015, he is said to have told a member of parliament.
* Merkur.de is part of the nationwide Ippen-Digital editors network.
* tz.de is part of the nationwide Ippen-Digital editors network.
PF with dpa
List of rubric lists: © dpa / Sebastian Gabriel
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