ABSTRACT
Germany is interested in further European integration for two reasons: to preserve peace and to maintain economic growth. Germany has an interest in preserving and extending peace and democracy, promoting its economic prosperity, and improving social and ecological conditions. Only a Germany integrated into multilateral institutions is compelled to take account of its neighbors' concerns when defining its own foreign policy interests. Germany's neighbors to both its east and its west would view matters with some suspicion if Germany were to make separate, bilateral efforts to shape its relations with its East Central and East European neighbors. Solving the multitude of problems in relations among Europe, the Arab states, and Israel is beyond the capability of the policy options available to Germany or the European Union in the short or medium term. The simple standoffs in the East-West conflict were reflected in the lines of dispute that marked foreign policy debates in Germany.
