On his trip to North Africa, Federal Foreign Minister Thomas de Maizière has been holding talks with representatives of the Maghreb states, Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia, on the return of unsuccessful asylum-seekers. All three states are willing to readmit their citizens. more
The German government calls on the parties to the conflict in Syria to do everything to ensure that the ceasefire that has been in place since Friday continues to hold. “First and foremost a genuine political dialogue must begin between the opposition and the regime,” declared Federal Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier. more
Chancellor Angela Merkel and Croatia’s Prime Minister Tihomir Orešković have discussed ending the policy of waving through refugees and re-establishing the Schengen Area at a meeting in Berlin. more
NATO has presented details of planned activities in the Aegean to help cut the lines of illegal migration. According to these plans NATO vessels will be able to deploy in future in Turkish and Greek territorial waters. more
Federal Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his French counterpart Jean-Marc Ayrault have urged Ukraine to press ahead with reforms. In view of the crisis of government facing the country at present, this is more important than ever. more
