Foreign Ministers of Germany, France and Poland meet in Weimar and at the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar
After visiting the memorial to the death march victims at the Buchenwald concentration camp and a tree planting as part of the »1000 Buchen« (1000 beech trees) memorial project, the delegations of Heiko Maas (Foreign Minister of Germany), Jean-Yves Le Drain (Foreign Minister of France) and Zbigniew Rau (Foreign Minister of Poland) visited Weimar's city centre and park on the Ilm river together.
Following this, a work meeting of the three politicians was held on the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar campus. University President Prof. Dr. Winfried Speitkamp welcomed the three ministers in the foyer of the Main Building. In his welcoming speech, he emphasised the critical importance of internationality at this historic site – starting with the Weimar Art School in the 19th century, through the State Bauhaus in the 1920s, and up to today’s Bauhaus-Universität Weimar. Working discussions between Heiko Maas and the other foreign ministers then took place in the Oberlichtsaal.
Afterwards, a significant part of the programme took place as Nina-Marie Luderer, Camille Magnin and Katarzyna Włoszczyńska (all students at the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar) spoke with the foreign ministers, discussing current issues in European politics. Among the topics discussed were Afghanistan and the treatment of refugees in Europe, gender equality, opportunities for women’s advancement, and anti-queer politics in Europe, as well as university cooperation. After a working lunch in the Main Building and a press conference in the University Library with representatives from numerous media outlets, the three delegations from Germany, France and Poland parted ways in the early afternoon.
A peaceful demonstration took place on Theaterplatz at the same time as the foreign ministers’ meeting. Below a rainbow flag, demonstrators highlighted Weimar’s role as an LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC-friendly city and a supporter of democracy, tolerance and an open society.
The Weimar Triangle was established in August 1991 and was intended to act as a discussion and cooperation platform with the aim of expanding cross-border relationships between France, Poland and Germany. Numerous trilateral meetings have taken place, not only between government representatives, but also, for example, between members of parliament and young people since 1991. A number of Weimar Triangle concepts have influenced the way teaching is carried out at the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar.
Further information (in German) can be found under:
https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/de/aussenpolitik/europa/zusammenarbeit-staaten/weimarer-dreieck-node