Institute for Continuing Professional Development

Otto von der Gablentz
Recteur du Collège d'Europe, Brugge

"The Way to a European Germany –
German Foreign Politics in the Experience of an Ambassador"

"Europe is no substitute for the old nation state, but remains an ongoing experiment in search of new forms of political organization, political innovation, which are up to the challenges of our modern world. An honest attitude vis-à-vis its history remains essential for Germany and our position in the world. This implies a culture of restraint in pursuing narrow national aims. We know that our past and our critical size otherwise would become stumbling blocks on the road to cooperation in Europe."