By Katalina Siasau
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, in Tonga today, met King Tupou VI, the Prime Minister, Lord Fakafanua, and Tonga's Foreign Minister, Crown Prince Tupouto'a 'Ulukalala this morning, on a whirlwind high-level visit.
After arriving on Tongatpu yesterday his delegation of 43 people was scheduled to fly out at noon on a commercial flight to Auckland where they will rejoin a German Air Force (Bundeswehr) plane, that Matangi Tonga understands was too large to land at Fua'amotu International Airport.
The visit to Tonga is part of the Foreign Minister, Wadephul's visit to five partner countries in the Indo-Pacific region: Singapore, New Zealand, Tonga, Australia and Brunei.
German's Foreign Office said a focal point of the trip is on relations with the Pacific states, including marking 150 years of the friendship treaty and 50 years of diplomatic relations between the Kingdom of Tonga and Germany.
"Germany wants to continue expanding its involvement in the Pacific region – including by aiming for a strategic partnership with the Pacific Islands Forum. With contributions to the regional organisation’s climate fund, Germany also supports measures to strengthen the region’s resilience to the effects of climate change," German's Foreign Office stated.
Foreign Minister Wadephul is travelling to the Indo-Pacific region once again to deepen existing partnerships and generate new momentum for cooperation – in areas from trade and technology to the international order and security.
In talks on foreign, security and economic policy, the focus will be on further strengthening Germany’s cooperation with the region and developing joint responses to global challenges.
Prior to his departure, Foreign Minister Wadephul said, "We are living in times when old certainties that our prosperity and security rested on for decades are crumbling. In times when the law of the strong threatens to supplant the strength of the law. Now in particular, we must expand our global network of robust partnerships in line with our core interests. We want to consolidate existing partnerships and forge new ones."
The Pacific region – close partners and new connections
In Australia and New Zealand, Foreign Minister Wadephul'si tinerary includes talks with members of government and business representatives.
He will also meet the Prime Minister of Niue. The two will officially seal the establishment of diplomatic relations between Germany and Niue with their signatures, marking an important step for Germany in establishing closer ties in the Pacific.
Multilateralism and international rules
This trip is taking place in a context of far-reaching international change. Global power shifts, economic competition and growing tensions are increasingly putting the rules-based international order to the test. All five countries share Germany’s interest in bolstering multilateral structures and defending a stable international order.
Foreign Minister Wadephul emphasised, "Together, we advocate for clear rules to govern international relations when these come under pressure – in Europe as in the Indo-Pacific. Because what happens in the Taiwan Strait or the South China Sea, for example, has global repercussions."
His visit underscores how Germany is basing its approach in the Indo-Pacific on dialogue, reliability and cooperation – as a contribution to freedom, security and prosperity, in Germany and worldwide, stated the German Foreign Office.
It was disappointing that the local media were not permitted to take photos during the German visit to the Prime Minister's Office this morning.
