Australia–Germany relations

Last updated

Australia-Germany relations
Germany Australia Locator.png
Flag of Australia (converted).svg
Australia
Flag of Germany.svg
Germany
Diplomatic mission
de:Australian Embassy in Berlin Embassy of Germany, Canberra
Envoy
Ambassador Philip Green Ambassador Beate Grzeski

Diplomatic relations exist between Australia and Germany, as well as the historical contacts, shared values of democracy and human rights, substantial commercial links, and a keen interest in each other's culture. As part of a strategic partnership concluded in 2013, both nations are also increasingly cooperating on security policy issues. Both countries also maintain diplomatic relations in each other's countries.

Contents

In December 2001, Australian Department of Foreign Affairs estimated that there were 15,000 Australian citizens resident in Germany. There were many German missionaries who emigrated to Australia, established mission stations and worked with Aboriginal Australians, in some cases helping to preserve their languages and culture.[ citation needed ]

History

New Guinea

An early collision of Australian and German interests dates to the early 1880s, as both the German Empire and the elites of the United Kingdom's Australian colonies were interested in exploiting the resources of the island of New Guinea. Eventually, the north-eastern quarter of the island became a German protectorate in 1884 (German New Guinea), while Queensland annexed the southeastern quarter of the island to the British Empire in 1883. In 1902–1905, soon after the formation of the Commonwealth of Australia, this Territory of Papua was formally transferred under the Australian administration. Thus a land border between German and Australian colonial possessions came into existence, at least as a line on world maps. In practice, however, there was little if any colonial presence in the interior of the island, and the border remained mostly unsurveyed.

Two World Wars

Lifeboats with some of the survivors from German auxiliary cruiser Kormoran towed to Carnarvon, Western Australia, by the freigher Centaur. HMAS Sydney was lost with all hands. Kormoran survivors.jpg
Lifeboats with some of the survivors from German auxiliary cruiser Kormoran towed to Carnarvon, Western Australia, by the freigher Centaur. HMAS Sydney was lost with all hands.

As a member of the British Empire, Australia found itself at war with Germany in both World War I (1914–1918) and World War II (1939–1945). Although the two countries are widely geographically separated, both wars involved some direct encounters between the two countries' militaries. Although Australians' best-remembered operation in World War I, the Gallipoli Campaign, was fought against the Ottoman Empire, many Australian units faced Germans on the Western Front, while the small Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force fought Germans in the Pacific.

At the conclusion of the war, an Australian delegation participated in the negotiating of the Treaty of Versailles, codifying the partitioning of the former German Empire among the winners. The Treaty of Versailles became the first international treaty signed by Australian representatives. [1] Australian Prime Minister Billy Hughes forcibly pressed for high German reparations payments and Article 231 assigning it guilt for the conflict so that the British Empire and Dominions could benefit from the payments, despite opposition from the United States. [2] Pursuant to the treaty, the former German New Guinea became Territory of New Guinea, administered by Australia under a League of Nations mandate. The remote isolated island of Nauru, which formerly had been administratively part of the German New Guinea, became a separate mandate territory – theoretically, under jointly administration of Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, but de facto run primarily by Australians.

In World War II, Australia was one of the first countries to declare war on Germany, on 3 September 1939, the third day of the German invasion of Poland. [3] The Battle between HMAS Sydney and German auxiliary cruiser Kormoran in November 1941 resulted in the sinking of both ships; the Western Desert Campaign, including the Siege of Tobruk was an important land campaign with major German and Australian participation.

During both wars, German enemy aliens found in Australia at the outbreak of the war, were interned. [4] Internee and PoW camps throughout Australia also housed a number of German sailors (from both the merchant marine and the navy), as well as German prisoners of wars brought from other theaters (primarily, north Africa).

Diplomatic history

The German Empire opened a consulate in Sydney in the late 19th century. The German consul, Carl Ludwig Sahl (1840–1897), [5] who spent most of his life in the South Pacific region, received his acceptance by British authorities on October 18, 1872; [6] he served in Sydney until his death in 1897, and was buried there. [5]

After the First World War, the first consul of the Weimar Republic, Dr Hans Büsing, arrived to Australia in 1924. [7]

Diplomatic relations between Australia and the Federal Republic of Germany started soon after the creation of the latter. In 1949, an Australian mission was established in Bonn, accredited to the Allied High Commission (the occupation government). In 1952, the mission was converted to an Australian embassy accredited to the FRG government. [8] [9] Diplomatic relations with the German Democratic Republic were established by the Whitlam government in 1973 (see below for more). [10]

Relations with the GDR

For about 27 years after the collapse of Nazi Germany, the Australian government refused to recognise East Germany or accept East German passports, due to ideological and political reasons; Australia viewing the GDR as a satellite state aligned and heavily influenced by the Soviet Union, while the GDR viewed Australia as a product of British colonialism, intent on destroying Marxism–Leninism. There were small trade relations and low-level visits though, which went unnoticed by the governments.

It wasn't until 1972, when, after a Labor victory led by Gough Whitlam, the government then considered recognition of the GDR. After some negotiations between the two governments, the Australian government finally recognised the GDR the following year. An embassy was built in the "diplomatic quarter" of East Berlin at Grabbeallee 34. Following German reunification in 1990, the embassy (along with the other one in Bonn) was closed.

European Union

Germany was a founding member of the European Union (EU). The EU and Australia have solid relations and increasingly see eye-to-eye on international issues. The EU-Australian relations are founded on a Partnership Framework, first agreed in 2008. It covers not just economic relations, but broader political issues and cooperation.

Trade

Trade between the two countries is sizable but heavily weighted to imports from Germany. In 2008, total two-way merchandise trade was valued at over A$13.4 billion, of which A$11.4 billion (85 per cent) were imports from Germany. [11]

Treaties

A significant number of Australia–Germany bilateral treaties include agreements on trade, science, space, taxation/social security, extradition, and other matters.

Multilateral organizations

Both nations are members of the United Nations, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, G20 major economies, World Trade Organization, and among others.

Resident diplomatic missions

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hallstein Doctrine</span> 1955–1970 one-Germany policy during the Cold War

The Hallstein Doctrine, named after Walter Hallstein, was a key principle in the foreign policy of the Federal Republic of Germany from 1955 to 1970. As usually presented, it prescribed that the Federal Republic would not establish or maintain diplomatic relations with any state that recognized the German Democratic Republic. In fact it was more nuanced. There was no public official text of the "doctrine", but its main architect, Wilhelm Grewe, explained it publicly in a radio interview. Konrad Adenauer, who served as Chancellor of Germany from 1949 to 1963, explained the outlines of the policy in a statement to the German parliament on 22 September 1955. It meant that the Federal German government would regard it as an unfriendly act if third countries were to recognize the "German Democratic Republic" or to maintain diplomatic relations with it – with the exception of the Soviet Union. The West German response to such could mean breaking off diplomatic relations, though this was not stated as an automatic response under the policy and in fact remained the ultima ratio.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Consul (representative)</span> Diplomatic rank

A consul is an official representative of a government who resides in a foreign country to assist and protect citizens of the consul's country, and to promote and facilitate commercial and diplomatic relations between the two countries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Embassy of Germany, Canberra</span> Diplomatic mission

The Embassy of Germany in Canberra is Germany’s diplomatic mission to Australia, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and Nauru. The current German ambassador, Beate Grzeski, has been in office since September 2023. She and her team take care of the bilateral relationship between Germany and Australia, which includes the political, economic, cultural, military as well as scientific and press fields.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Consulate</span> Official office of one country in another country

A consulate is the office of a consul. A type of diplomatic mission, it is usually subordinate to the state's main representation in the capital of that foreign country, usually an embassy. The term "consulate" may refer not only to the office of a consul, but also to the building occupied by the consul and the consul's staff. The consulate may share premises with the embassy itself.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Turkey)</span> Government ministry of Turkey

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is the governmental body responsible for conducting foreign relations of the Republic of Turkey. The Ministry is responsible for Turkey's diplomatic missions abroad and for the promotion of Turkish culture, as well as for implementing the country's foreign policy in accordance with its national interests. Established on 2 May 1920, its primary duties are administering diplomatic missions, negotiating international treaties and agreements, and representing the Republic of Turkey at the United Nations. The ministry is headquartered in the Turkish capital of Ankara and counts on more than 200 missions as embassies, permanent representation offices and consulates general, abroad. As of 2021, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs maintains 235 diplomatic posts worldwide. The current Minister of Foreign Affairs is Hakan Fidan, who has held the position since 3 June 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Consular missions in Hong Kong</span> List of diplomatic missions in Hong Kong

There are 122 diplomatic missions in Hong Kong, of which 61 are consulates-general and 61 are consulates and six officially recognised bodies in Hong Kong. As Hong Kong has the status of a Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China, some consuls-general in Hong Kong report directly to their respective foreign ministries, rather than to their Embassies in Beijing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Australia–Russia relations</span> Bilateral relations

Foreign relations date back to 1807, when the Russian warship Neva arrived in Sydney as part of its circumnavigation of the globe. Consular relations between Australia and the Russian Empire were established in 1857. Diplomatic relations between Australia and the Soviet Union were established in 1942, and the first Australian embassy opened in 1943. Due to the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, relations became very tense after Australia imposed sanctions against Russia. Russia placed Australia on a list of "unfriendly countries", along with Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, Singapore, the United States, European Union members, NATO members, Canada, New Zealand, Switzerland, Micronesia and Ukraine.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Australia–Ireland relations</span> Bilateral relations

Diplomatic relations exist between Australia and Ireland. Australia and Ireland share a historical connection and remained part of the British Empire until their respective independence. Over 300,000 Irish settlers migrated to Australia to escape poverty in their homeland and over 2 million Australian citizens claim Irish ancestry. Both nations are mutual members of the Australia Group, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and the United Nations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Embassy of Australia, Moscow</span>

The Embassy of Australia in Moscow is the diplomatic mission of Australia to the Russian Federation. The current head of post and Ambassador of Australia to the Russian Federation is John Geering. The embassy serves as the diplomatic mission for Australia to the Russian Federation, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. The chancery is located at 10A/2 Podkolokolny Lane in the Tagansky District of Moscow.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Austria–Malaysia relations</span> Bilateral relations

Bilateral foreign relations exist between Austria and Malaysia. Austria has an embassy in Kuala Lumpur, and Malaysia has an embassy in Vienna.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Australia–Estonia relations</span> International relations between Australia and Estonia

Foreign relations exist between Australia and Estonia. Australia first recognised Estonia on 22 September 1921. Australia was among the first countries to re-recognise Estonia's independence on 27 August 1991. Both countries re-established diplomatic relations on 21 November 1991.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Australia–Finland relations</span> Bilateral relations

Foreign relations are present between Australia and Finland. Diplomatic relations were established on 31 May 1949. Australia is represented in Finland through its embassy in Stockholm, Sweden, and through an honorary consulate in Helsinki. Finland has had an embassy in Canberra since 1978, alongside honorary consulate generals in Melbourne and Perth, honorary consulates in Adelaide, Brisbane, Darwin, Hobart, and Sydney, and an honorary vice-consulate in Cairns.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Australia–Uruguay relations</span> Bilateral relations

Australia and Uruguay have had consular relations since 1923 and diplomatic relations since 1948. Australia is represented in Uruguay through its embassy in Buenos Aires (Argentina) and an honorary consulate in Montevideo. Uruguay has an embassy in Canberra a consulate general in Sydney and honorary consulates in all State capitals.

A de facto embassy is an office or organisation that serves de facto as an embassy in the absence of normal or official diplomatic relations among countries, usually to represent nations which lack full diplomatic recognition, regions or dependencies of countries, or territories over which sovereignty is disputed. In some cases, diplomatic immunity and extraterritoriality may be granted.

The Canada–Australia Consular Services Sharing Agreement is a bilateral agreement between the governments of Australia and Canada for each country to provide consular assistance to citizens of the other in situations which are from time to time agreed between the two countries. Missions in areas where only one country has developed diplomatic relations will provide consular services to both Canadian and Australian passport holders or citizens.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Australia–Latvia relations</span> International relations between Australia and Latvia

Foreign relations exist between Australia and Latvia. Australia first recognised Latvia on 22 September 1921 and was among the first countries to re-recognise Latvia's independence on 27 August 1991. Both countries re-established diplomatic relations on 21 November 1991. Australia is represented in Latvia through its embassy in Stockholm, Sweden and an honorary consulate in Riga. Latvia has had an embassy in Canberra since October 2021, and also has honorary consulates in Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Melbourne and Perth.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Australia–Lithuania relations</span> International relations between Australia and Lithuania

Foreign relations exist between Australia and Lithuania. Australia was among the first countries to re-recognise Lithuania's independence on 27 August 1991. Both countries formally established diplomatic relations on 6 November 1991. Australia is represented in Lithuania through its embassy in Warsaw, Poland and an honorary consulate in Vilnius. Lithuania has had an embassy in Canberra since 2021, and also has honorary consulates in Sydney, Adelaide, Melbourne and Darwin.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Germany–Peru relations</span> Bilateral relations

Germany–Peru relations are the bilateral relations between Germany and Peru. The relations are described by the German Foreign Office as "close and friendly". Cooperation between Germany and Peru takes place at both the bilateral and multilateral level.

References

  1. "Documenting Democracy". www.foundingdocs.gov.au.
  2. Steiner, Zara (2005). The lights that failed: European international history, 1919–1933. Oxford: Oxford University Press. ISBN   978-0-19-151881-2. OCLC   86068902.
  3. Morgan, Kenneth (2012). Australia: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford: Oxford University Press. p. 89. ISBN   978-0-19-958993-7.
  4. "Wartime internment camps in Australia". Archived from the original on 4 September 2017. Retrieved 26 April 2013.
  5. 1 2 The late German consul, The Sydney Morning Herald, 3 April 1897
  6. The foreign officer list and diplomatic and consular hand book. January 1877, p. 290
  7. New German consul. Arrival in Sydney, The West Australian (Perth, WA), Wednesday 19 March 1924
  8. "Statement by the Minister for External Affairs, the Rt Hon RG Casey, 28 January 1952" (PDF).
  9. "Australia and Germany celebrate 60 years of diplomatic relations in 2012".
  10. "DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS WITH THE GERMAN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC" (PDF).
  11. "Germany country brief".
  12. Trade, corporateName= Department of Foreign Affairs and. "Australian Embassy in". germany.embassy.gov.au.
  13. Amt, Auswärtiges. "Missions of the Federal Republic of Germany in Australia". australien.diplo.de. Archived from the original on 2 October 2022. Retrieved 28 November 2020.