- Title: We stand with partners of rules-based order - says German Def Min on China
- Date: 16th September 2022
- Summary: BERLIN, GERMANY (SEPTEMBER 14, 2022) (REUTERS) GERMAN DEFENCE MINISTER CHRISTINE LAMBRECHT SPEAKING TO REPORTERS (SOUNDBITE) (German) GERMAN DEFENCE MINISTER, CHRISTINE LAMBRECHT, SAYING: "It is very important to us that we are always at the side of partners who stand up for a value-based order. And that is also important in the Indo-Pacific because we are seeing all over the world that there are already developments that call territorial integrity into question and we must not allow that. That is why this exercise is so important, also to ensure that we are interoperable, that we can fight and deploy together with other states." CLOSE LAMBRECHT'S HANDS (SOUNDBITE) (German) GERMAN DEFENCE MINISTER, CHRISTINE LAMBRECHT, SAYING: "But beyond that, our obligations in NATO, especially with regard to the eastern flank, we can also manage this. And I have to say that I am very impressed that we have succeeded in managing this very large exercise at the same time, in sending this important signal. We are at the side of the partners who stand for precisely this rule-based order. But we are also keeping our commitments in NATO." CLOSE LAMBRECHT'S EYES (SOUNDBITE) (German) GERMAN DEFENCE MINISTER, CHRISTINE LAMBRECHT, SAYING: "But it is very important that we also continue to work with China and other countries. This question of de-escalation is always being discussed. How can we bring stability to the region? So now, this engagement is not aimed at escalation, but it is quite clearly our concern that we want stability in this, in this region and that we also contribute to it, especially through diplomacy, especially through exchange. Of course, this will also be the case in the future." LAMBRECHT'S EYES
- Embargoed: 30th September 2022 14:59
- Keywords: China German Defence Minister Christine Lambrecht Indo Pacific Ukraine crisis
- Location: BERLIN, GERMANY
- City: BERLIN, GERMANY
- Country: Germany
- Topics: Diplomacy/Foreign Policy,Europe,Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA001587516092022RP1
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Germany is observing China's military build-up and drills with Russia with concern while signaling its commitment to a rules-based order in the Indo Pacific with its growing presence there, the country's defense minister told Reuters on Wednesday (September 14, 2022).
Germany's current focus on the Ukraine war did not mean it could take its eyes off security developments elsewhere, whether on its doorstep in the west Balkans or in the Indo Pacific, Christine Lambrecht said in an interview at the defense ministry in Berlin. Invasions could happen anywhere.
"It is very important to us that we are always at the side of partners who stand up for a value-based order. And that is also important in the Indo-Pacific, because we are seeing all over the world that there are already developments that call territorial integrity into question and we must not allow that.â€
Germany is increasingly joining other Western nations in showing more muscle in the Indo Pacific region amid growing alarm over Beijing's territorial ambitions, even at the risk of irking its top trade partner.
(Production: Martin Schlicht, Lena Toepler) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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