About: Ursula von der Leyen
Demands for ‘more Europe in NATO’ as leaders gather for Munich Security Conference
Demands for a stronger EU and foreign policy, more commitments to NATO and concerns over Russia’s assertiveness were the leitmotifs as the 55th Munich Security Conference kicked off on Friday (15 February).
NATO in search of options to prepare for post-INF world
In the aftermath of US President Trump's withdrawal from the landmark nuclear arms-control accord earlier this month, NATO allies on Wednesday (13 January) met in Brussels to plan for a future that includes a “Russia with more missiles.”
France and Germany to launch first contracts on future combat jets
France and Germany will on Wednesday (6 February) announce a 65 million euros contract financed equally by both countries over two years as the first act of the joint programme to design a next-generation combat jet, a French army source said.
Another German budget without new debt
The German Bundestag adopted the national 2019 budget with the votes of the 'Grand Coalition' last Friday (23 November), with expenditure reaching a record €356 billion and a particular rise in defence spending. Nevertheless, Finance Minister Olaf Scholz has managed to avoid creating any new debt. EURACTIV Germany reports.
More responsibility on migration issue needed, says Mogherini
EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said on Thursday (30 August) "there is no consensus on practical solutions" to migration at the moment and urged member states to show more responsibility towards migrants in the Mediterranean.
Merkel eyes German EU Commission chief: report
Chancellor Angela Merkel is focusing on securing the European Commission presidency for a German candidate, rather than backing Bundesbank chief Jens Weidmann to succeed Mario Draghi at the helm of the European Central Bank (ECB), Handelsblatt reported.
Polish-German relations tighten over talk show remarks
During a visit to Ukraine (5 November), Polish Foreign Minister Witold Waszczykowski expressed his indignation over Germany’s current policy towards Poland, insisting Berlin supports the country's opposition forces.
EU is moving closer together on defence
After the Brexit vote and Trumps election in 2016, the defence union came to the fore of the EU integration plans. The past EU summit showed that progress has obviously been made, writes Steffen Stiehle of EURACTIV Germany.
German army insists country supports NATO defensive action
German army research shows that German citizens would support NATO military action in defence of a fellow alliance member, in stark contrast to another study that said the very opposite.
Merkel backs defence minister in scandal on far-right supporters in military
German Chancellor Angela Merkel fully backs her defence minister over her handling of a scandal about far-right sympathisers in the military, her spokesman said on Wednesday (3 May), after the arrest of an officer suspected of planning a racially motivated attack.
Vice-versa: European defence and German interests
Germany and the EU: How do they cooperate? Where do their approaches conflict and where are their interests aligned? EURACTIV Germany’s Vice-Versa series takes a look at the issue from both a European and federal government perspective.
German troops deploy in Lithuania under NATO banner
Germany and NATO yesterday (7 February) underscored their commitment to beefing up the defence of Eastern Europe's border with Russia as the first of four new battalions under the North Atlantic alliance's banner arrived in Lithuania.
EU tools up for cyber war
As the member states rapidly progress in their own personal cyber arms race, the bloc’s institutions risk being left behind. EURACTIV Germany reports.
From shock to delight: Member state reactions to Trump’s victory
Donald Trump's victory in the US elections took most of the EU countries by surprise. A majority of leaders appeared apprehensive of the consequences, with the exception of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, for whom Trump’s election is “great news” and a proof that “democracy is still alive”. This article will be updated as reactions keep arriving.
German defence minister wants EU military to match NATO
Germany's defence minister said yesterday (7 November) the European Union must modernise its military defence and security to match NATO's drive to beef up its own security forces in the wake of a major Russian build-up.
EU training Libyan coast guard to curb refugee flows
The European Union has begun training the Libyan coast guard as part of efforts to curb the growing influx of irregular migrants from North Africa, EU foreign affairs head Federica Mogherini said Thursday (27 October).
German defence minister says Berlin is ready to expand military role
German Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen said yesterday (17 October) that Berlin was ready to play a larger military role than in the past in the service of closer European defence cooperation.
France, Germany to table defence plan at Bratislava ministerial meeting
At the informal defence ministerial in Bratislava starting today (27 September) France and Germany will make the case for the EU’s most ambitious defence plan in almost two decades, aiming to persuade sceptical easterners and avoid a showdown with Britain over its military future outside the bloc.
Germany and France seek stronger EU defence after Brexit
Germany and France have outlined plans to deepen European military cooperation, a document showed on Monday (12 September), as Britain's exit from the European Union removes one of the biggest obstacles to stronger EU defence in tandem with NATO.
German minister backs European ‘defence union’
Germany's defence minister called for a European "defence union" on Thursday (8 September) during a visit to the Baltic state of Lithuania, where Berlin is preparing to lead a battle group of about 1,000 troops as a deterrence against neighbouring Russia.
German army starts training refugees
Germany’s defence minister and employment agency, with the help of the country’s armed forces, are trialling a new strategy for getting young refugees onto the labour market. EURACTIV Germany reports.
Germany proposes allowing foreigners to join its army
Germany's defence minister wants to allow its armed forces to recruit nationals from other EU countries to combat a shortfall in personnel. EURACTIV's partner Der Tagesspiegel reports.
Juncker: NATO is not enough, EU needs an army
The European Union needs its own army to face up to Russia and other threats, as well as to restore the bloc's standing around the world, EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker told a German newspaper yesterday (8 March).![German Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen speaks with German troops during a training exercise on 2 October, 2014. [Medien Bundeswehr/Flickr]](https://www.euractiv.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2014/10/15232784009-27254155e7-k.jpeg)