For the first time in two years, Federal President Steinmeier has invited the diplomatic corps to a summer trip. This time it's going to Franconia. The trip is overshadowed by the crisis in Ukraine.
Nuremberg (dpa/lby) - Overshadowed by the war in Ukraine, Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier visited Franconia together with 150 ambassadors accredited in Germany and around 20 heads of international institutions. "If Bavaria stands for laptops and lederhosen, then Franconia stands for turbines and traditional costumes, for hydrogen and for world heritage," said Steinmeier at a luncheon for the diplomats in Nuremberg's Kartäuserkirche.
Steinmeier had previously visited the medium-sized pump manufacturer Leistritz in Nuremberg with the diplomatic corps. In the afternoon, the tour continued to Erlangen, where a visit to a Helmholtz Institute for Renewable Energies was on the agenda. The summer trip was to end in Bamberg in the evening, where the Federal President wanted to visit the cathedral with the diplomats, among other things. The Ambassador of Ukraine in Germany, Andriy Melnyk, was not present.
Bavaria's Prime Minister Markus Söder (CSU) welcomed the international guests and highlighted the special features of Bavaria in Germany. Bayern are "basically friendly," said Söder. The Prime Minister recalled the history of the old trading city of Nuremberg, but also its darkest time when the National Socialists wanted to make it one of their model cities.
In his speech to the diplomats, Federal President Steinmeier described the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine as a murderous crime. At the luncheon with the diplomatic corps in Nuremberg, Steinmeier said the international community must oppose this imperial warmongering. "We have to defend ourselves. We owe that to the many courageous people in Ukraine who resist day after day," he said in the Carthusian Church of the Germanic National Museum.
The war in Ukraine brings terrible suffering to millions of people. "He is a murderous crime" for which Russia's President Vladimir Putin alone is responsible, said Steinmeier. After the price increases this year, there could be real shortages next year. The wealthier states have a duty to help the poorer countries in good time.
Germany stands firmly and resolutely on the side of Ukraine, he assured. "First and foremost, this means that we support Ukraine politically and militarily," said the Federal President. The fact that Ukraine is now a candidate for EU membership is more than just a symbolic act.
Steinmeier warned against neglecting the fight against climate change because of concerns about Ukraine. International exchange should not suffer either. "We must not allow the poison of distrust, hatred and enmity to spread any further," he said.
