Frank-Walter Steinmeier

“Resources are becoming scarcer. If we want to promote new growth, we should focus on the quality of the value we are creating.”

“Today, our world is more interconnected than ever. This offers many opportunities; it creates wealth and new freedoms. Yet our world is also vulnerable, full of friction points and conflicts of interest.”

“We need democracy - but right now democracy needs us! It needs self-assured citizens who have confidence and drive, common sense and decency, and who show solidarity with others.”

“Reaching compromise does not signal weakness, but rather is a sign of strength. The ability to compromise is the backbone of democracy.”

“לאחר הפשעים שביצעו הנאצים, זוהי מחויבותה של גרמניה להתנגד לכל ביטוי של אפליה או של שנאת הזר.”

“נוכח זוועות השואה בתקופת מלחמת העולם השנייה, הידידות העמוקה שנרקמה בין גרמניה לישראל היא בגדר נס.”

“חימוש המזרח התיכון בוודאי אינו פתרון לאי־היציבות באזור.”

“ההצלחה במשא ומתן בין ישראל לפלסטינים תוכל להיות בטוחה רק אם נצמצם את מספר המדינות שיכולות להזיק לה. עצתי היא להמשיך לנסות לשכנע את סוריה שתפקיד הרסני הוא בניגוד לאינטרסים שלה.”

“אנו לא ניתן לאף אחד לקחת את אירופה מאיתנו. לא נסכים שייקחו מאיתנו את השלום והיציבות של אירופה.”

“חוכמה פוליטית דורשת שימוש בכלים הנכונים.”

“The fact is that Germany is taking on its responsibility in the world - in the fight against IS, but also in the Middle East, in Africa and in Afghanistan.”

“Europe has the potential to pioneer and supply a sustainable worldwide economy.”

“Thirty years ago, this promise, this allure of democracy, drove hundreds of thousands of people in East Germany onto the streets. What courage they showed! It was these brave people, these peaceful heroes and heroines, who brought the Wall tumbling down.”

“Wherever you look - especially on social media - we see hate; there is shouting and daily outrage.”

“Where there is a threat of mass murder, where the stability and order of countries and entire regions are endangered, and where there is no chance of successful political settlements without military support, we must be willing to honestly weigh up the risks of getting involved against the consequences of doing nothing.”

“Are we strong? Can we defend ourselves? Are we standing shoulder to shoulder? Do we stand up for each other?”

“Taxing financial markets, promoting research and development, and mobilising investments: that means learning our lessons from the financial market crisis and changing our focus.”

“Courage is the lifeblood of democracy.”

“Whoever believes that a symbolic tank parade on the alliance's eastern border will bring security is mistaken.”

“Europe's demography is developing towards a smaller working population in an ageing society.”