Germany Projects Calm Exterior as Market Maelstrom Grips US, Eurozone, Asia

Deputy German Foreign Minister Dr.Werner Hoyer discusses:

- Position of Euro, Eurozone as safe haven in face of US economic concerns, debt downgrade;
- The Eurozone's efforts to placate global markets;
- Germany's position in Eurozone and whether it can survive without it;
- Issues surrounding Malaysia's talks for a Partnership and Cooperation Agreement as well as an EU-Malaysia FTA;
- Roadbumps to a successful conclusion to these talks;
- How he rates the chances of an expedient result: given historical impasse over govt procurement issues, auto, mechanical tooling and chemicals industries;
- Malaysia's judicial sysytem as a reliable legal framework for bilateral trade;
- Bittersweet memories such as the dispute between Deutsche Telekom and Celcom;
- Possibility for Malaysian and German cooperation on foreign policy;
- How Germany can play a larger role globally, given historical challenges such as during WWII;
- Germany's domestic challenges such as 'Islamisation' fears, aversion to nuclear power, political divides, skilled labour shortages and net emigration.

"German Chancellor Angela Merkel is keen that the decision to phase out nuclear power by 2022 could make Germany a trailblazer in renewable energy, following a panel reviewing nuclear power after the crisis at Fukushima, Japan. Deputy Foreign Minister of Germany, Dr Werner Hoyer, provides insights on the policy apart from anti-nuclear reactions. Dr Werner also addresses a dire consequence of Germany's open market - skilled labour shortage."