Siko boss Wolfgang Ischinger has a grim forecast for the Europeans. Steinmeier speaks of “dark times”. An attempted suicide on the verge of a demonstration caused unrest.
- The 56th Security Conference starts in Munich on Friday, February 14th .
- There is everything you need to know about Siko 2020 in the Bavarian capital. The BR is streaming the conference live.
- Politicians of high standing and names from all over the world talk about global issues - and sources of fire .
>> << Update
Update at 8.30 p.m .: How dangerous the situation in Munich was when a man tried to ignite himself in protest against the security conference is clear from descriptions of the police officers involved.
"That was the most dangerous situation that I have experienced at the USK in 16 years," says group leader Benjamin B. looking back on the assignment on Saturday. At 1:22 p.m., an Iraqi, who wants to point out the political situation in his home country, pours himself nearly four liters of petrol and runs in front of the Gloria Palace into the crowd that has gathered to launch the demonstration against the security conference. In the hand: a lighter.
USK group leader Benjamin B. realizes what the Iraqi, who has lived in Munich since 2001, is up to. The policeman manages to bring him down. "The lighter and the canister have flown away." The group leader can tame the Iraqi together with Helmut W. and Tobias S.
According to police, the 50-year-old did not want to injure anyone. He wanted to draw attention to the situation in his home country. Nevertheless, the situation at Stachus remains fire-prone at first. The gasoline is everywhere, even on the clothes of the police officers. A cigarette, just a spark would have been enough to trigger a deflagration that could have injured many people. The men from the support command prevent this, they work as a practiced group and take away the 50-year-old.
Update at 3:35 p.m .: While the Munich police have released further details of the attempted self-immolation on the sidelines of a Siko demonstration (we reported) and overall draws a positive balance over the weekend, the spokeswoman for the US House of Representatives, Democrat Nancy Pelosi, confirmed in In her speech at the conclusion of the Munich Security Conference, the United States' commitment to multilateralism and NATO. "We want to dispel any doubts that the United States appreciates the transatlantic relationship," said Pelosi.
Siko Munich 2020: Pelosi contradicts Pompeo - and confirms commitment to NATO
By doing so, she indirectly contradicted statements by Secretary of Defense Mike Pompeo the day before. On Saturday, he rejected allegations that the US would refuse to cooperate in the international community. However, he repeatedly focused on the sovereignty of the states. ES Democrat Stephen Lynch told Siko that democracy is under attack today. "The only way to survive is to survive together," he said.
Earlier on Sunday, the participants in the Berlin Libya conference at Siko in Munich also pledged to abide by the arms embargo against the country in crisis. As Federal Foreign Minister Heiko Maas announced after the meeting, there had also been "very frank" talk about the "not inconsiderable numerous violations of the arms embargo" during the past few weeks. At the same time, the participants had quite different opinions, which led to the violations. Maas also announced that the chair of the Libya follow-up conferences will now change. Next is Italy's turn, so the next Libya meeting will be in Rome. It is planned for March.
Siko Munich 2020: Police announce new details on suicide - it is not an attack
Update at 13.55: The attempted self-immolation of an Iraqi in a demonstration against the Munich Siko was not an attack , police said . "He didn't want to hurt anyone," said police spokesman Marcus da Gloria Martins. The 50-year-old has been in a psychiatric clinic since yesterday's act. He tried to draw attention to the political situation in his home country through the attempted suicide. He was not a participant in the demonstration.
On Saturday, the man at Munich's Karlsplatz suddenly poured around three liters of gasoline while holding a lighter in his hand . He called attention to himself by shouting, reported a local police officer on duty. Worse was prevented, however, as several officials threw themselves at the 50-year-old and arrested him.
Update at 12.46 p.m .: At Munich's Siko , the Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Shtaje has asked European politicians to loudly and clearly reject Donald Trump's controversial plan for resolving the Middle East conflict . There should be no vacuum on this issue, the politician emphasized on Sunday. His conclusion on Trump's plan: "Nobody takes this seriously." It is not a peace plan , said the politician, but a declaration of intent by the US government and Israel, with which 40 percent of the Palestinian country should be annexed.
Siko Munich 2020: Laschet expresses devastating criticism of Merkel's European policy - lack of courage and dynamism
Update at 10.59 a.m .: NRW Prime Minister Armin Laschet drew a devastating conclusion at the Munich Security Conference on Sunday morning about Angela Merkel's European policy . His opinion: she lacks courage, dynamism and speed . "Today the French President makes suggestions, it takes too long for us to react," criticized Laschet. He also teased that the black and red federal government had written the motto "A new start for Europe" about its coalition agreement, but so far it hadn't been noticed that much.
In the course of this criticism , Laschet also made a request to the Federal Republic . After the Brexit, Germany must take on more financial responsibility in Europe , the Prime Minister believes.
Update at 10.06 a.m .: The follow-up talks on the Libya crisis began at Siko in Munich in the morning. Around a month after the Berlin Libya conference, Heiko Maas (SPD) and numerous foreign ministers from other countries want to continue trying to find a solution in the crisis region . But even before the meeting started, there was bad news: The UN special envoy for Libya, Ghassan Salamé, had to cancel his planned participation at short notice due to health reasons. However, the United Nations are co-organizers of the meeting. Now the deputy special envoy Stephanie Williams is to represent the sick Salamé.
Siko Munich 2020: Meeting ends with discussions on the Libya conflict and the Middle East crisis
Update from February 15, 2020, 8.46 a.m .: The Libya conflict is the focus of the international top meeting on the last day of the Munich Security Conference . Around a dozen foreign ministers and representatives of international organizations want to push ahead with a solution for the crisis region . From 9 a.m., those involved meet to discuss the implementation of the resolutions of the Berlin summit four weeks ago. The meeting will be chaired by Federal Foreign Minister Heiko Maas (SPD) and the United Nations .
It is now a matter of implementing what was decided in Berlin, Maas emphasized. Points of the crisis summit at the time included an armistice, compliance with the arms embargo and the continuation of talks between the civil war parties . In an interview with the dpa news agency, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan al-Saud called for an end to outside interference in Libya . He explicitly named Turkey.
Siko Munich 2020: Saudi Foreign Minister criticizes Turkey for interference in the Libyan crisis
"Now there are troops coming from Syria who are being sent over by Turkey ," he said on the sidelines of the security conference. Of course, none of this helps and would only bring more instability . This also applies to arms deliveries . In addition to the Libya crisis, discussions on the conflict between Israel and Palestine and the situation in Europe are also on the agenda on Sunday.
Update, 8:21 p.m .: The appearances of Federal Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier , French Head of State Emmanuel Macron and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo at this year's Munich Security Conference make it clear that a tangible dispute has flared up between the nations over the cohesion of the West .
Already in his opening speech on Friday, Steinmeier criticized the United States and accused President Trump of " rejecting the idea of an international community". He also predicted “dark times” for Europe and spoke of the death of the transatlantic alliance. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo went on a confrontational course in his speech on Saturday and contradicted Steinmeier . "The death of the transatlantic alliance is extremely exaggerated," said Pompeo.
Siko Munich 2020: Pompeo on Steinmeier's criticism: does not correspond to reality
Regarding Steinmeier's criticism of the US government, Pompeo emphasized that these statements would not be realistic . "The West wins and we win together," predicted the Foreign Minister. He called for trust in the transatlantic alliance and at the same time called for cooperation to counter threats from Russia and China , for example .
France's President Macron did not hold back in his speeches with criticism of Russia . He accused Moscow of attempts to destabilize western democracies through hacking. Specifically, he accused Moscow of trying to influence elections and carry out cyber attacks. "I think Russia is trying to continue destabilizing," said Macron. The nation is "very aggressive" in this regard.
Siko Munich 2020: Macron sees "weakening of the West" and calls for cooperation
Macron also complained of a "weakening of the West" in the global world order. He is certain that the US government has reviewed its relationship with Europe. That is why the 42-year-old called for closer European cooperation in the field of defense and also brought nuclear weapons into play. At the beginning of February, he offered closer cooperation to the European partners on nuclear deterrence.
Steinmeier and Maas have so far been reluctant to respond, which Macron also commented on Saturday at Siko. He was not "frustrated", but "impatient " in the face of waiting for answers from Berlin. In doing so, he referred not only to the current offer of cooperation, but also to European initiatives on his part in recent years.
Siko Munich 2020: China's foreign minister is angry about Huawei criticism
China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi was also at Munich's Siko on Saturday - and was angry at the previously expressed criticism of the two US representatives who came to Siko, Pompeo and Defense Minister Mark Esper . Esper had classified the Chinese technology group Huawwei as a threat to NATO . "If we don't understand the threat and do nothing about it, it could endanger the most successful military alliance in history - NATO," warned the Secretary of Defense. "They have repeated their smear campaigns and criticism of China again," Wang Yi shot back in his speech at the conference.
Munich: On the outskirts of the Siko - man pours himself over with petrol - and tries to light himself
Update from 4:53 p.m .: Due to the security conference in Munich , 3,000 people gathered on Saturday for protests in the city center. At the edge of the demonstration, a man, about 50 years old, poured petrol, took a lighter in his hand, and apparently wanted to light himself when the police detained and detained him. According to initial investigations, the Iraqi living in Munich wanted to draw attention to the political situation in his home country.
The protests were peaceful overall, said a police spokesman . Around 2,000 people attended a kick-off rally, as did the closing event after the demonstration. Around 500 participants formed a human chain in the city center. The "Action Alliance against the NATO Security Conference" had called.
Around 3,900 police officers were scheduled to be on duty at the weekend during the security conference. This year the organizers expected around 40 heads of state and government and 100 ministers to attend the most important expert meeting on security policy.
On the edge of the Siko: people pour petrol over themselves - and try to light themselves
Update at 3:28 p.m .: On the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference , one person poured petrol on Saturday . The incident occurred during a demonstration against the meeting of top politicians, the Munich police said on Twitter. However, it is currently unclear whether the person who poured petrol on him was also a participant in the demo and a radical protest against the conference. According to the police, however, the person moved into the gathering and had a lighter with them. The police were able to prevent the lighting .
Siko Munich 2020: Person pours petrol over him - the investigation is ongoing
The person was injured by poisonous fumes and was transported to the hospital. At first it was unclear whether he had tried to light himself . The police started an investigation immediately after the incident, but medical treatment had been the focus before. Details of the person's identity are not yet available.
At the gathering against # msc2020, which is currently at the #Stachus, a person poured petrol and went into the gathering with a lighter in hand. This could be recognized by police officers. We were able to prevent lighting. # Muc1502 # siko
- Police Munich (@PolizeiMuenchen) February 15, 2020According to police estimates, around 3,000 people are now taking part in the demonstration against Siko , which began at Stachus in Munich. The meeting moved from Stachus through the pedestrian zone to Marienplatz and arrived at Odeonsplatz around 3 p.m.
Update at 12.19 p.m .: Foreign Minister Heiko Maas fears a humanitarian catastrophe in the Syrian province of Idlib . He therefore asked Russia at the Munich Security Conference to work towards an end to the fighting in Idlib. After speaking with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov and Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Cavasoglu , he said: "We are very concerned that there will be a humanitarian catastrophe if the struggles that end there do not end."
Munich security conference - demonstration
© dpa / Felix Hörhager
Siko Munich 2020: Maas warns of further flows of refugees from the Syrian province of Idlib
Germany expects Moscow to use its influence on the Syrian government "so that these attacks are ended , the fighting is stopped," emphasized Maas. "Otherwise, we expect even more people to leave the region." This is something that no one could be interested in. Lavrov and Cavusoglu also want to comment on the situation in Idlib at Siko in Munich. Your statements are expected on Sunday. The situation is also tricky because Turkey supports Islamist rebels in the region, while Russia is on the side of Syrian ruler Bashar al-Assad .
The two nations now want to discuss the situation in Idlib in Moscow at the beginning of next week . According to the latest information from the United Nations, more than 800,000 people have been displaced from Idlib since early December. "Our delegation will travel to Moscow on Monday," Cavasoglu announced on the outskirts of Munich's Siko. A Russian delegation had previously been to Ankara. The talks should now continue. However, Cavusoglu made it clear that Turkey was not prepared to accept attacks by the Syrian government in Idlib . In this context, he also sent a clear warning to Russia : If the diplomatic efforts were not successful, Ankara would be ready to take the necessary measures .
Mevlüt Cavasoglu and Heiko Maas at Munich Siko.
© AFP / MICHAEL DALDER
Update at 11.32: During his appearance at Munich's Siko , the French head of state Emmanuel Macron also warned that the failure of the Franco-German tandem in the EU would be a "historical mistake" . He also called for a quicker response to his European initiatives. He called for "clear answers" from Germany and France to current problems in Europe . After the financial and migration crisis, many people would have lost faith in democracy, said Macron.
Siko Munich 2020: Macron is “impatiently” waiting for answers from Berlin - also on the subject of nuclear weapons
Since there has often been no response from Berlin to his proposed solutions to these problems in recent years, he is not "frustrated" , but "impatient" . Macron complained that France and Germany had a "history of waiting for answers" in their relations. In the next few years, it will be important to develop “sovereignty at European level” even faster.
These statements were preceded by a statement by Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Federal Foreign Minister Heiko Maas (SPD) at Munich's Siko, where they were reluctant to offer Macron's offer for a strategic dialogue on French nuclear weapons . The two only announced that Germany would take up the proposal.
Siko Munich 2020: Macron talks about strategic dialogue about nuclear weapons
Update at 11.10 a.m .: French head of state Emmanuel Macron spoke in his conversation with Wolfgang Ischinger at Munich's Siko in favor of strengthening Europe's freedom of action . "I think we need NATO, that's for sure," he emphasized - but also said that Europe must protect itself . And that regardless of the United States. France believed in a "Europe of Defense," said Macron.
Macrons also suggested a more open approach to nuclear weapons . In this context, he also speaks of a "strategic dialogue" , because France wants. Since Brexit, the country has been the only EU member to have nuclear weapons , while Germany strictly rejects these weapons. According to Macron's statement, Ischinger emphasized that Germany fundamentally rejects nuclear weapons.
Munich Siko 2020: Macron complains to Ischinger "weakening of the West"
Update at 10.57 a.m .: At the Munich Security Conference , the highly anticipated conversation between French President Emmanuel Macron and Siko director Wolfgang Ischinger is currently taking place. Macron initially complained, like Ischinger himself and Frank-Walter Steinmeier, of a "weakening of the West" .
The role of the West was hotly debated at Munich's Siko - also by Emmanuel Macron.
© AFP / CHRISTOF STACHE
Update at 9.57 a.m .: At the Munich Security Conference , US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo also spoke on Saturday morning. In his speech, he rejected Frank-Walter Steinmeier's criticism of the United States' withdrawal from the international community. "The death of the transatlantic alliance is extremely exaggerated, " said Pompeo. He further emphasized: "The United States will fight for freedom and sovereignty with you." He also spoke of the fact that the West would expect a bright future.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg had previously made a similar statement. "I believe in Europe and America together," he said at Siko. He also urged the transatlantic alliance from Europe and North America to be united and warned that both sides should not compete against each other. The Norwegian also admitted that it was right that the path together was not always easy. However, he also emphasized: "We have not lost our way."
Siko Munich 2020: Macron caused a stir with statements critical of NATO - what will he say in Munich?
Update of February 15, 2020, 8.32 a.m .: Day two of Munich's Siko is coming and one of the most important speakers at the conference, French President Emmanuel Macron , is expected in the morning. The 42-year-old has been causing a stir lately, for example with statements like NATO is "brain dead" . It remains to be seen whether Macron will again make sensational security theses at Siko. Macron was contradicted by German politicians even before his visit. For example, Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier partially contradicted Macron's recent theses in his opening speech.
The SPD parliamentary group leader Rolf Mützenich has already rejected the offer of the French head of state to the European partners to work more closely together on nuclear deterrence . He spoke out against closer cooperation on deterrence with nuclear weapons. Instead, France must also take steps to abolish its nuclear arsenal , Mützenich told the dpa. Macron had announced that he wanted disarmament and arms control. This must "also be reflected in French politics in the near future," said Mützenich.
Siko Munich 2020: Macron is expected on Saturday and there are talks with Turkey
Update at 11:00 p.m .: What's next for Siko on Saturday? The 56th Munich Security Conference will continue with an appearance by French President Emmanuel Macron. Macron talks to conference manager Wolfgang Ischinger in the morning. In addition to the international meeting, a meeting between Federal Foreign Minister Heiko Maas (SPD) and his Turkish colleague Mevlüt Cavusoglu is planned, followed by a press conference.
Update at 9:36 p.m .: Right at the start, he spoke to the conscience of the guests and said: "It is not enough for you, the most powerful people in the world, to shrug your shoulders and say: things are the way they are," warned Wolfgang Ischinger in his greeting to the 56th Munich Security Conference. But who is the conference leader who emphasized that shooting is taking place in Syria, Libya and other conflicts - and "we're just watching"?
Ischinger is the former German ambassador to the internationally important capitals Washington and London and is not a diplomat who only speaks to his guests by mouth. The 73-year-old finally announced that the world had become a pretty dangerous place (see below). The report by the IISS also fits in with the fact that global military spending has increased instead of decreased. The United States and China even invested 6.6 percent more money in their armed forces than in 2018.
Siko 2020: talk to each other and don't ignore the opinions of others
As the host, Ischinger wants the three days in the Bayerischer Hof not to talk about each other, but with each other . But when the guests come from China, Russia and Iran, where the powerful are not used to critical questions, it is not always easy. Ischinger's rules: "We expect our speakers to accept questions." This is an "interactive conference". It is about talking to each other and not just giving lectures and ignoring the opinions of others.
Mr. Steinmeier is right, nationalist thinking is outdated and backwoods, today's problems from high finance to the Master of the Universe can only be solved by the planet together, otherwise it will no longer exist soon: https://t.co/6zSgCLOlEG
- smidowitz (@ Wulf01092967) February 14, 2020Above all, the invitation to the Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammed Javad Sarif had caused criticism. However, Ischinger believes that this is extremely important: "I am deeply convinced that we need to speak and listen to each other."
Update at 7:32 p.m .: There are detailed details of the study on the increase in armaments expenditure . In 2019, these have increased worldwide as much as they have not in ten years. There was an increase of 4 percent compared to the previous year, according to the study by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) published at the Munich Security Conference. For Europe, the figure is even 4.2 percent. As a result, European spending was back at the level before the 2008 financial crisis , as IISS Director General John Chipman said.
Munich Security Conference: Heiko Maas calls for stronger NATO
Foreign Minister Heiko Maas (SPD) had previously warned of a stronger German and European engagement in security policy and touted the importance of NATO. "We Europeans have closed our eyes too long on the uncomfortable reality that a US withdrawal from military engagement and international contracts means for us," said Maas at Siko 2020.
Maas called for the "establishment of a European security and defense union - as a strong, European pillar of NATO". This is the "European policy design task of the 20s". Germany would also take up the offer of French President Emmanuel Macron for a European strategy dialogue on French nuclear weapons.
Update at 4:42 p.m .: Frank-Walter Steinmeier has spoken out for a rapprochement between the EU and Russia . "We need a different, better relationship between the EU and Russia and Russia to the European Union," the President said in his opening speech to the Munich Security Conference, apart from his criticism of the major powers (see previous entry). With increasing estrangement, Europe cannot and should not come to terms with it .
On day one of the Munich Security Conference, President Steinmeier issued warning words.
© dpa / Guido Bergmann
Russia's relations with the EU , but also with NATO , have been under heavy strain since 2014. Moscow is accused of annexing the Ukrainian Black Sea peninsula of Crimea in violation of international law and supporting the pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine. As a result, the EU imposed economic sanctions. NATO expanded its presence in the east of the alliance.
The front woman of the US Democrats, Nancy Pelosi *, raged at the security conference, especially against China and the technology giant Huawei : This should not get too much power with 5G technology .
Steinmeier at the Munich Security Conference: "Into a dark time"
Update at 2:53 p.m .: With his speech at the opening of the Munich Security Conference , Frank-Walter Steinmeier addressed an urgent warning and sharp criticism to the world powers . "In this age, the retreat into the national arena leads us to a dead end, to a dark period, " emphasized Steinmeier. It is "extremely dangerous" if the trust that has grown worldwide is jeopardized by a "relapse into the thinking of the day before yesterday". The retreat to a narrowly understood national interest is a hindrance, Steinmeier said. Europe had not moved closer together, the Federal President stated. The responsibility for this would not only be borne by everyone else, he said, also criticizing the Federal Republic .
Each of the big players is looking for their own advantages. "This is not a good development for us," warned Steinmeier and emphasized: "This Europe must not fail." In addition to Europe, Steinmeier particularly criticized the three world powers. Regardless of international law, Russia annexed Crimea , China only accepted international law selectively, and even the United States , under the current government, would reject the idea of an international community .
Siko 2020 in Munich: Steinmeier criticizes China, Russia and the USA in his opening speech
Update at 2:25 p.m .: At the beginning of the Munich Security Conference , Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier warned in his opening speech against an "increasingly destructive dynamic of world politics" . "We are moving further and further away from the goal of international cooperation to create a more peaceful world," he said. "The idea of competition from the major powers shapes reality around the world."
Security conference 2020 in Munich - the police are alarmed.
© dpa / Sven Hoppe
The traces could be traced back to the endless victim-rich wars in the Middle East and Libya . He also criticized Russia and China sharply. China's crackdown on minorities in their own country would upset everyone, Steinmeier criticized. And the United States also did not get away well in his speech. With regard to the politics of the United States, he spoke among other things of the fact that meanwhile "everyone is the next".
Siko head Ischinger with a dark forecast for Europeans: "Will still regret it"
Update at 11.40 a.m .: The Munich Security Conference only really gets going with the opening speech by Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier at 2 p.m. But it is already clear in advance: Siko's motto, "Westlessness" (in German: "Westlosness") will be the focus of the conference. Shortly before the start of the conference, Siko leader Wolfgang Ischinger criticized on Twitter that the EU is sending out a “message of grotesque helplessness” , especially in the Syria conflict .
In a contribution to the social network, he makes it clear that he sees the EU's inaction in this crisis as "politically and strategically extremely harmful" . It signals: "You can do anything with the Europeans". In this context, Ischinger also has a grim forecast: "We will regret that," he writes at the end of his Twitter comment.
And what is the powerful EU of 450 million people doing? Nothing! morally reprehensible and politically-strategically enormously harmful because we send out the message of grotesque helplessness: "You can do anything with the Europeans". We will regret that. @MunSecConf
- Wolfgang Ischinger (@ischinger) February 12, 2020Siko 2020 in Munich: Wolfgang Ischinger warns of the increasing loss of power in the West
In a conversation with Deutschlandfunk (we reported), Ischinger also made statements on Friday morning about the increasing loss of power in the EU. The world seems to be “less western overall” . A few years ago, many would have assumed that China would orientate itself more towards the west with increasing prosperity. According to Ischinger, however, this had proven to be an error.
Update at 10:24 a.m .: Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg comes to Munich's Siko * this Saturday. There he also wants to limit damage in view of the frustration prevailing in Europe about the inadequate taxation of tech companies . Even before he appeared at the security conference, Zuckerberg was open to a reform of the global tax system , in which technology companies were asked to pay more. An already known speech by the Facebook boss for his appearance in Munich shows that his online network supports the reform plans of the industrialized nations organization OECD .
Siko 2020 in Munich: Facebook boss Zuckerburg is open to the OECD tax reform
"We accept that this could mean a new set of rules, that we will pay more taxes in the future, and in different countries," says Zuckerberg's speech. Facebook also wants a tax reform and wants "that the OECD process is successful". Taxing large internet companies has been a controversial issue for years. US corporations like Facebook have so far hardly paid any taxes in Europe. Discussions are therefore underway in the EU to introduce a digital tax.
After his appearance in the Bavarian capital, Zuckerberg will travel to Brussels . His company has been subjected to massive criticism in Europe over the past few months. On the one hand because the business model targets user data , on the other hand because of the handling of hate contributions and political advertising in the social network.
Munich 2020: Siko boss warns of "unusually serious situation" - "... and we are watching!"
Update from February 14, 2020, 9.22 a.m .: Immediately before the start of the Munich Security Conference , head Wolfgang Ischinger made serious tones. On Friday, he spoke in the ZDF morning magazine of an "unusually serious situation" in the world. In view of the “very dangerous” international situation, it is important that people speak and not shoot at the political level, Ischinger emphasized. He complained about the weak position of the West in view of the conflicts in Libya, Syria and Yemen. In Syria, Libya and other conflicts, "shooting, marching in, war going on," said Ischinger, adding: "We are watching."
The Munich SIKO's motto "Westlessness" ("Westlessness") also fits in with this. With regard to the motto, Ischinger spoke of a "double phenomenon". On the one hand, there are "signs of disintegration" within the "classic alliance" between the European countries and the USA. On the other hand, however, the world also appears to be becoming “less western overall”.
Security conference 2020 in Munich for the 56th time
First report from February 12:
Munich - When the 56th edition of the security conference opens its doors, it is estimated that around 40 heads of state and 100 ministers from all over the world are expected to discuss the most important conflicts on earth in the Bavarian capital, which must once again face many traffic jams and demos * to discuss. Conference leader Wolfgang Ischinger goes public with an extreme outlook: "We have more crises, more bad crises, more horrible events than you can imagine," said the former German ambassador in Washington.
Siko 2020 in Munich: Steinmeier opens - Trump is not one of the party
The Munich Security Conference 2020 will be opened on Friday ( February 14) by Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. A time frame of three days is planned for the gathering of the political elites - for Ischinger hardly enough "to discuss all conflicts in the world". Nevertheless, Siko has developed into the most important global expert meeting regarding security policy and is taking place in Munich for the 56th time .
Munich city center turns into a fortress.
The "Munich Security Conference" starts on Friday.
500 decision makers are expected.
More than 4000 police officers will ensure the safety of the guests around the "Hotel Bayerischer Hof". #siko pic.twitter.com/LLe5LKxyuJ
For the first time, French President Emmanuel Macron will also be on board; last year the head of state had canceled his participation. US President Donald Trump will not be there in 2020, but three American ministers will be guests: Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Secretary of Defense Mark Esper and Energy Minister Dan Brouillette.
The speaker of the US House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, one of the toughest opponents of US President Donald Trump, will also visit Bavaria for the upcoming Siko. That was not the end of the guest list from the United States: Mitt Romney is the only Republican senator (Trump's party) on the guest list who voted to impeach the controversial president.
Video: Youtuber behind the scenes of the security conference
Global trouble spots: China, Russia and Iran are taking up positions in Munich
The foreign ministers of China, Russia and Iran - Wang Yi, Sergei Lavrov and Mohammed Javad Sarif - will also arrive for the 56th security conference and enter into dialogue with other representatives of major powers. There are (too) many current trouble spots, including the opaque conflict in Syria, the recent escalation between the United States and Iran, or the Middle East conflict between Israel and Palestine.
Some major Western powers also have a divided relationship with China: after months of frosty relations between Beijing and Berlin, the participation of China's Wang Yi, who is striving for strategic talks with Foreign Minister Heiko Maas (SPD), is remarkable: The Reich had a meeting scheduled for October last year in the middle of anger at a Meuse meeting with Joshua Wong, leader of the Hong Kong democracy movement, relations have been tense since then.
At the 56th Munich Security Conference, almost 4,000 police officers from several federal states are to be deployed.
© dpa / Matthias Balk
The Munich Security Conference will also discuss Chinese efforts to combat the new corona virus and international cooperation in this case. By contrast, Kim Son Gyong, North Korea's deputy foreign minister, has canceled. The country of dictator Kim Jong-un was invited to Munich for the first time in 2020, but subsequently withdrew his first commitment.
Do “AKK” and Söder advise on the future of the CDU at the security conference?
Not only the political development in other countries is on the agenda in Munich: According to reports, the leadership crisis in the CDU (international press) on the margins of the security conference will be an issue: It is likely that Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer will play her part shocked with the resignation from the federal presidency, meets with CSU boss Markus Söder.
According to the police headquarters, almost 4,000 police officers will be deployed around Munich's Siko. The local forces therefore maintain personnel support from eight federal states. The main task is to protect the high-ranking politicians present, said Marcus da Gloria Martins. The announced demonstrations against the "SiKo" are less of a problem, according to the police spokesman.
Last year, five young YouTubers were allowed to look behind the scenes of the Munich Security Conference and interview important participants. Kiev Mayor Vitali Klitschko made an interesting comparison of politics in his home country Ukraine.
While everything in Munich on the weekend revolves around the topic of security, CSU politician Horst Seehofer is also concerned about this topic. Because he warns of another refugee crisis. We would experience a second in 2015, he is said to have told a member of parliament.
* Merkur.de is part of the nationwide Ippen-Digital editors network.
* tz.de is part of the nationwide Ippen-Digital editors network.
PF with dpa
List of rubric lists: © dpa / Sebastian Gabriel
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