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Merkel is learning to forget her radical reform agenda. WHEN Angela Merkel was elected federal chancellor in the German Bundestag two years ago, the sigh of relief throughout Washington -- […]

The continued survival of the chemicals industry may ultimately depend on its ability to comply with environmental protection and safety standards. Since chemicals companies deal with hazardous substances, it is imperative for them to adopt standards and measures guaranteeing the safety of people inside and outside their plants. The recent series of chemical leaks and explosions at Hoechst plants in Germany underscores the importance of establishing safety standards. Although most chemicals producers look at environmental measures as costs, they are actually much less expensive than cleaning up industrial pollution after an accident. To ensure that the industry will still have a future, every effort should be made to integrate environmental measures into the production process.

The author argues that the German Government has given its unrelenting support for accession negotiations if Turkey meets the Copenhagen political criteria. According to the author both Turkey and the EU are already reaping the benefits of Turkey's EU perspective. He cites three reasons as to why he believes it to be in the political interest of the EU member states, especially Germany, to continue this process: Firstly, because prospective membership has acted as a catalyst, causing Turkey to embark upon far-reaching constitutional and legislative reforms in a very short period. Secondly, because Turkey is of strategic importance to Europe's security given the paradigm shift in world politics. Thirdly, because Turkey is already an important economic partner for Germany and other member states and will even gain in importance once accession negotiations have begun. The author elaborates on the three reasons and concludes by stating that Turkey's fulfilment of the reform goals should be met by the fulfilment of the EU's pledges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The author argues that the German Government has given its unrelenting support for accession negotiations if Turkey meets the Copenhagen political criteria. According to the author both Turkey and the EU are already reaping the benefits of Turkey's EU perspective. He cites three reasons as to why he believes it to be in the political interest of the EU member states, especially Germany, to continue this process: Firstly, because prospective membership has acted as a catalyst, causing Turkey to embark upon far-reaching constitutional and legislative reforms in a very short period. Secondly, because Turkey is of strategic importance to Europe's security given the paradigm shift in world politics. Thirdly, because Turkey is already an important economic partner for Germany and other member states and will even gain in importance once accession negotiations have begun. The author elaborates on the three reasons and concludes by stating that Turkey's fulfilment of the reform goals should be met by the fulfilment of the EU's pledges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents an excerpt from the remarks of German Foreign Affairs Minister Joschka Fischer at the United Nations General Assembly in New York on September 14, 2002, which deals with terrorism.

The author discusses the potential impact of the fall of Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad's regime as a result of the civil war on the political condition in the Middle East.

The author reflects on the isolation of Germany into the Eurozone crisis.

The article discusses the implications of political and fiscal unification in the European Union on its political and economic conditions. He articulates that Europe's survival from financial crisis depends on a change in the economic policy of Germany and the position of France on political integration and structural reforms. It is suggested that Europe desperately needs structural reforms that will restore the continent's economic competitiveness beyond political and fiscal union.

The article argues on the negotiations between Iran and five United Nations Security Council member and the negotiation of Germany over the nuclear program of Iran, saying that the U.S. seem to have communicated in a credible manner concerning its intention to Iranian leadership.