Exchange of information and closer cooperation: Federal Councillor Burkhalter to attend meeting of German-speaking foreign ministers in Salzburg
Bern, 26.07.2017 - Federal Councillor Didier Burkhalter, head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, will take part in the annual meeting of German-speaking foreign ministers in Salzburg on 27 July 2017. The event is an opportunity for Mr Burkhalter to meet with his counterparts from key partner countries – Austria, Germany, the Principality of Liechtenstein and Luxembourg – and to hold in-depth discussions on matters of common interest.
After Berlin (2014), Neuchâtel (2015) and Balzers (2016), this year's annual meeting of German-speaking foreign ministers is taking place in Salzburg. There, Mr Burkhalter will talk with the foreign minister of Austria, Sebastian Kurz, and those of Liechtenstein and Luxembourg, Aurelia Frick and Jean Asselborn about current developments in each country and the situation in Europe. The meeting will also focus on security issues, cooperation in international organisations, the situation in Europe, and areas of common interest such as vocational education and training and the promotion of the German language.
The annual meeting of foreign ministers of German-speaking countries has taken place since 2006. Germany has taken part since 2012 and Luxembourg since 2016. Germany will not be present this year. The aim of the meeting is to strengthen cooperation in areas of common interest. These regularly held meetings also further closer relations and the exchange information between the five countries.
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