Our Political Breakfasts and Background Discussions 2023

Upon invitation by Körber-Stiftung, Mikhail Khodorkvsky shared his views on Russian domestic and foreign policy during a Political Breakfast, with a special focus on the work of the Russian opposition and Russia’s future. Guests from various ministries and representatives from different think tanks participated in this discussion at Körber-Stiftung’s Berlin office.

On 12 October 2023, Liu Jianchao, Minister of the International Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, met with members of the German Bundestag, representatives of federal ministries and China experts at Körber-Stiftung’s Berlin office to discuss current foreign and security policy issues.

On 4 July 2023, the former Afghan President, Hamid Karzai, spoke digitally with experts from ministries, the German parliament, and think tanks and discussed the current situation in Afghanistan. Topics included the state of the country under the Taliban, German-Afghan relations and possibilities for humanitarian aid, and the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan.

On 11 May 2023, Körber-Stiftung invited several representatives from federal ministries, think tanks, and businesses, as well as Members of the German Bundestag to join Körber-Stiftung’s series “Political Breakfasts” for an exchange with Jordan Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ayman Safadi. Part of the agenda were topics such as Syria, the Arab League, and the Middle East conflict between Israelis and Palestinians.

Latvian President H.E. Egils Levits met with members of the German Bundestag, representatives of various ministries as well as experts from different think tanks at Körber-Stiftung’s Berlin office on 30 March 2023. The participants actively engaged in discussions regarding Europe’s future security architecture, war crimes tribunals, and the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine.

On 14 February 2023, Körber-Stiftung welcomed Fu Ying, Vice-Chairperson of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National People’s Congress of the People’s Republic of China. Representatives of various ministries and experts from selected think tanks discussed with the former Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs during a Political Breakfast. Topics included the future of Chinese foreign policy, China’s position on Russia’s war in Ukraine, and China’s diplomatic relations with EU countries and the United States.

On 25 January 2023, The Prime Minister of Iceland, Katrín Jakobsdóttir, met for a background discussion with members of the German Bundestag and experts from ministries and think tanks. The discussion focused on Iceland’s priorities during its Presidency of the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers and the 4th Council of Europe Summit in Reykjavik.

Qian Hongshan, Vice Minister of the International Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, joined Körber-Stiftung’s Digital Background Discussion series and spoke with members of the German Bundestag as well as experts from ministries and think tanks. Following the 20^th National Party Congress, the focus was on China’s future international role and its foreign policy priorities.

Accompanied by a delegation of members of the Georgian Parliament, Shalva Papuashvili, Speaker of the Georgian Parliament, discussed current foreign policy challenges with German parliamentarians and experts from ministries and think tanks. During the Political Breakfast, Russia’s war in Ukraine and its consequences for Georgian domestic and foreign policy were central topics. Aside from that, expectations on both sides regarding EU accession were discussed.

Members of the European Affairs Committee of the House of Lords joined Körber-Stiftung for a background discussion on British domestic and foreign policy with members of Berlin’s foreign policy community. During the visit, The Earl of Kinnoull, The Lord Hannay of Chiswick GCMG, The Lord Liddle and The Rt Hon. the Lord Foulkes of Cumnock spoke about the consequences of the Russian war in Ukraine, Brexit, and priorities of British foreign and defence policy.

The former president of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Hamid Karzai, discussed current developments in Afghanistan as part of Körber-Stiftung’s Digital Background Discussion series on 25 October 2022. One year after the fall of Kabul, Hamid Karzai shared his views and described the current situation in the country. The participants also discussed the expectations of the Afghan people towards the international community and their own country.

On 19 September 2022, Markéta Pekarová Adamová, Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament of the Czech Republic, met with members of the German Bundestag, representatives of various ministries and experts from select think tanks for a Political Breakfast at the office of Körber-Stiftung. Markéta Pekarová Adamová shared her views on the Czech EU Council presidency and the future of the EU. Questions on European security, Russia’s war against Ukraine and Czech politics were also part of the debate. 

On 19 May 2022, Edi Rama, Prime Minister of the Republic of Albania, met with members of the German Bundestag, representatives of various ministries and experts from select think tanks for a Political Breakfast at Körber-Stiftung. Edi Rama shared his views on the future of the EU and EU enlargement. Questions on European security and Russia’s war against Ukraine were also part of the debate. 

On 17 May 2022, Rumen Radev, President of the Republic of Bulgaria, met with members of the German Bundestag, representatives of various ministries and experts from select think tanks for a Political Breakfast at Körber-Stiftung. The debate focused on Russia’s war against Ukraine as well as European support and arms deliveries. Diverging strategic cultures within the EU, the future of European security and the role of NATO were also discussed by the participants. 

On 18 March 2022, Szymon Szynkowski vel Sęk, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland, met with members of the German Bundestag, representatives of several ministries and experts from select think tanks for a Political Breakfast at Körber-Stiftung. Against the backdrop of Putin’s war against Ukraine, questions regarding European security formed the core of the debate. Other topics included energy security and migration.

David H. Petraeus, Partner at KKR and Chairman of the KKR Global Institute, met with members of the German Bundestag, representatives of several ministries and experts from select think tanks for a Digital Background Discussion hosted by Körber-Stiftung to discuss the security challenges posed by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

On 13 January 2022, Clément Beaune, Minister of State for European Affairs in the French government, met with members of the German Bundestag, representatives of several ministries and experts from select think tanks for a Background Discussion at Körber-Stiftung. Beaune shared his views on the future of the EU as a kick-off to the French EU Council Presidency. Aside from the programme of the presidency, the question of European Security as well as the situation in Ukraine were also part of the debate.