Germany, France call for alliance for multilateralism

By Ayhan Simsek

BERLIN (AA) - Germany and France are calling for an “alliance for multilateralism” among like-minded countries to defend the rules-based world order against growing nationalism and power politics.

In a joint article for the Suddeutsche Zeitung newspaper published Thursday, Germany and France’s foreign ministers warned that the multilateral order -- under which alliances of countries pursue common goals -- is experiencing its gravest crisis since its emergence after the Second World War.

“We firmly believe that a new commitment to multilateralism, an alliance for multilateralism, is more necessary than ever if we are to stabilize the rules-based world order, to uphold its principles and to adapt it to new challenges where necessary,” Heiko Maas and his French counterpart Jean-Yves Le Drian said.

“We therefore want to establish a global network of like-minded states which are convinced that pursuing legitimate, national interests and protecting the collective property of humankind are fully compatible, not mutually exclusive.”

Maas and Le Drian announced their proposal ahead of the 55th Munich Security Conference beginning Friday, where both ministers are expected to deliver remarks on global security and foreign policy challenges.