Editors from South East Europe on a KAS study visit in Berlin - Medienprogramm Südosteuropa
Veranstaltungsberichte
European politics under the influence of the refugee crisis and EU enlargement was the main theme of a visiting delegation of the KAS Media Program South East Europe, with ten political editors and TV presenters from the Balkans, Romania and Moldavia. From 5 to 11 June the journalists gained information about the media system and political communication in Germany.
For crisis management in the EU and the further development of Europe many eyes are directed towards Berlin. In addition to migration and financial policies, geopolitical aspects are the main focus of interest of many journalists from South East Europe when they think of Germany. Ten well-known heads of news departments, commentators and TV presenters accepted an invitation from the KAS to Berlin to form their own impression at first hand from politicians and media experts. A further goal was the exchange of views about media policy in South East Europe. The study visit was organised in conjunction with the KAS Domestic Programs Division in Berlin.
In his opening remarks, the Director of the KAS Media Program South East Europe, Christian Spahr, suggested that the public in Germany had little knowledge of the political aims of countries in South East Europe, and, to some extent, Germany’s motives were also in need of explanation.
Together with the group, Frank Priess, Deputy Head of the Department for European and International Cooperation of KAS, and KAS Media Coordinator Rahma Janetzke discussed the topics of asylum policy, the elections of 2017 and the situation of security policy in Europe. Jens Paulus, Head of Team Europe/North America, explained the international working model of the German political foundations. Here he emphasised that German foreign policy was firmly anchored in the Western alliance. The goal had to be a stronger consensus in foreign and security policy within the EU. Florian C. Feyerabend, with responsibility for the Western Balkans in the KAS European team, and the Head of Domestic Programs Division Henri Bohnet, exchanged views on the political situation with the visitors from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Romania and Serbia.
During a visit to the Federal Press Office the delegation heard how daily communication of the German Government and of Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel is organised. The Deputy Government Spokesperson Georg Streiter explained the duties of his office with its staff of 450 and its co-operation with the Federal Chancellery. The Federal Press Office is not restricted to informing the media. It also addresses the general public and is responsible for internal briefings of the Government.
More in the event report.
