A German Agenda for its G-8 Presidency

On January 1st, Germany assumed the leadership of the Group of Eight (G-8), the economic policy forum for eight large economies in the world, as well as that of the EU. Germany's Presidency coincides with a formative period in German foreign economic policy. Its overall mission, ensuing the fall of the Berlin Wall, was the peaceful transition to democracy and market economy for the former communist countries in Eastern and Central Europe. This was the 'bread and butter' of all Germany's foreign economic policy and a natural corollary of Germany's post-war strategy.

But today, when Konrad Adenauer's and Helmut Kohl's agendas have been achieved, indeed successfully so, what is the long-term strategy for Germany's foreign economic policy? Will Germany use the G-8 Presidency to signal strategic priorities and a leadership role in international economic policy? How can Germany avoid the claptraps and windy rhetoric that often encircle summit meetings in order to develop a sober, balanced, and decisive agenda that will get results? On what issues can Germany, as G-8 President, 'add value?'

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