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Author : Rüdiger von Fritsch
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Federal Republic of Germany to the Russian
Federation
WHAT is the FRG government guided by in its ac-
tions, apart from urgent, current problems? Ade-
nauer's moves already clearly point to the key
elements of the German foreign policy after World
War II as they will subsequently determine its eastern
policy and the course toward détente by the German
social liberal governments under Willy Brandt, Hans-
Dietrich Genscher and Helmut Schmidt, as they will
make possible the establishment of German unity by
Helmut Kohl and again by Hans-Dietrich Genscher,
and as they still continue to act consistently and continuously: Policies are shaped in the process
of dialogue and are built on the balance of interests; they are predictable and based on the es-
tablished perceptions of values and principles, integrated into the context of the circle of part-
ners and allies and harmonized with direct and indirect neighbors.
This policy, however, is above all aimed at firm agreements and reliable rules accepted by all.
The country that had caused so much trouble for Europe and the world during the National So-
cialist rule drew a conclusion from the horrible suffering and destruction that had affected,
among others, the Soviet Union and its people: There must be no more arbitrariness in interna-
tional relations. Guided by deep convictions, German foreign policy will decisively respond to
all violations of these rules, which jeopardize peace and trust.
Germany is still one of the most favorite places abroad for Russian students and researchers to
receive an education and engage in research. At present, about 15,000 young Russians are study-
ing in Germany. Over 880 universities in our countries have established partnership links.
These days we are marking the 60th anniversary since the establishment of diplomatic relations
between the USSR and the FRG and it is in this connection that the present article is being pub-
lished. However, we should not forget about the major contribution made by the residents of
the former GDR to the preservation, maintenance and development of cultural and scientific
ties, as well as people-to-people contacts between
Nevertheless, we can make History, and we can make it together. Soon, we will be marking the
25th anniversary of the German reunification as a result of a peaceful revolution in the GDR
and talks between the two German states with each other and with the four former allied powers
in World War II. That was when not only the division of Europe began to come to an end but
the withdrawal of the allied forces also began. Who could have hoped at the time that the with-
drawal of Soviet troops would have proceeded as peacefully as it had? We Germans are still
grateful for this!
http://interaffairs.ru
We Can Make History