Foreign and European Policy

December 10: Human Rights Day

The universally acceptable Symbol for human rights combines the symbols of a hand and a bird: “Free as a man” is the title of the blue logo which was created by Predrag Štakić from Serbia and became the universally recognized symbol of the international movement for human rights at the end of September 2011. The graphic designer’s work won convincingly in a worldwide competition for a human rights logo which Federal Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle launched in Berlin in May 2011.

December 10: Human Rights Day

European Union Guidelines on Human Rights Defenders

Germany and the European Union are actively engaged in the protection of human rights defenders. The EU has drawn up guidelines to ensure that this protection is guaranteed in the long term.

European Union Guidelines on Human Rights Defenders

Germany provides $2 million to strengthen the justice system in the North and East

The Federal Republic of Germany will provide $2 million over the next two years to expand the Equal Access to Justice (A2J) Project, to strengthen the justice system in the North and East.

German Ambassador: “Without Justice, there can be no lasting Peace!”

German Delegation Calls for Political Reconciliation at Eye Level

A German Parliamentary delegation completed it’s five-day stay in Sri Lanka with a series of high-level meetings in Colombo.

German Delegation Calls for Political Reconciliation

EU News

Competition: decisions from 6 to 10 February 2012

Among this week’s decisions, the Commission confirmed unannounced inspections at companies active in managing power exchanges in several EU countries.

Feb 10, 2012

Growing teacher shortages in EU

A Commission report shows several member countries may face serious teacher shortages in the future due to a declining number of graduates specialising in education.

Feb 10, 2012

Greek debt: negotiations continue

Euro area finance ministers discussed the conditions that need to be met in order to agree on the new support programme for Greece, which includes EUR 130bn of official financing.

Feb 10, 2012

Council adopts rules restricting phosphates in detergents

From 30 June 2013, phosphorus in laundry detergents will be limited to 0.5 grams per washing process. The limit for dishwasher detergents will be 0.3 grams from 1 January 2017. The aim is to improve water quality.

Feb 9, 2012

Euro area interest rates stable

The European Central Bank keeps the interest rates on the main refinancing operations, the marginal lending facility and the deposit facility at 1%, 1.75% and 0.25% respectively.