Kay Nietfeld

German foreign policy perks up under new gov’t

FILE – In this Jan. 15, 2014 file photo German Minister of Defence Ursula von der Leyen, left, and German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier talk at the beginning of a cabinet meeting at the Federal Chancellery in Berlin, Germany. After years in the diplomatic shadows, Germany looks keen to shed its image as a foreign-policy lightweight and assume a more vigorous role in shaping European policies in global hotspots from central Africa to Syria. New Foreign Minister Steinmeier has declared that Europe “cannot leave France alone” in Africa. He and von der Leyen are preparing to reinforce Germany’s military role in Mali and help France at least logistically in Central African Republic. (AP Photo/dpa, Kay Nietfeld, File)

Hannibal Hanschke

German foreign policy perks up under new gov’t

FILE – In this Dec. 16, 2013 file photo then designated German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, left, and then designated German Minister of Defence Ursula von der Leyen, stand next to each others after the signing of the coalition agreement at the Paul-Loebe-Haus of the German ‘Bundestag’ parliament in Berlin, Germany. After years in the diplomatic shadows, Germany looks keen to shed its image as a foreign-policy lightweight and assume a more vigorous role in shaping European policies in global hotspots from central Africa to Syria. New Foreign Minister Steinmeier has declared that Europe “cannot leave France alone” in Africa. He and von der Leyen are preparing to reinforce Germany’s military role in Mali and help France at least logistically in Central African Republic. (AP Photo/dpa, Hannibal Hanschke, File)

Posted: Wednesday, January 29, 2014 3:40 am
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Updated: 5:03 am, Wed Jan 29, 2014.

German foreign policy perks up under new gov’t

Associated Press |

Germany has been called a reluctant giant _ Europe’s biggest power, but one that balks at a front-line leadership role beyond finance.

There are signs that’s changing since a new coalition government of conservative and center-left parties took power last month.

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Wednesday, January 29, 2014 3:40 am.