The German initiative for arms control: time for dialogue with Russia

Abstract:

On 28 August 2016, the German minister of foreign affairs, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, published an article in the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung daily which put forward proposals to negotiate a new multilateral treaty on conventional arms control in Europe.

Among Steinmeier’s suggestions was the idea that regional ceilings should be defined, minimum distances and transparency measures introduced. New weapons systems should also be taken into account, as should military capabilities and strategies. An informal meeting of the ministers of foreign affairs of OSCE member states was held on 1 September in Potsdam and Steinmeier’s proposal was included in the discussion.