- Christoph Schmid Says Stronger Defence Capabilities Must Be Matched by Diplomacy, Partnerships and Sustained Global Engagement
ISLAMABAD: Germany must assume greater responsibility for its own security and play a stronger leadership role in safeguarding European security, Member of the German Bundestag Christoph Schmid said, stressing that enhanced defence capabilities should go hand in hand with diplomacy, trusted partnerships and sustained international engagement.
Speaking at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI), Schmid said Germany’s strategic outlook had undergone a significant transformation following the conflict in Ukraine, prompting a fundamental reassessment of the country’s defence preparedness as well as its reliance on external security and energy arrangements.
Schmid was addressing a public talk titled “Defence and Security Policy in a Changing World Order: Perspectives from Germany and the EU,” organised by the ISSI’s Centre for Strategic Perspectives (CSP).
Germany Reassessing Defence Priorities
Referring to Germany’s evolving security posture, Schmid identified recruitment, defence infrastructure and more efficient procurement as key priorities for strengthening the country’s military preparedness.
He also emphasised the need to enhance public awareness and societal resilience in response to emerging security threats. From the German and broader European perspective, he described Russia as the foremost security challenge.
However, Schmid cautioned that increased military preparedness should not undermine diplomatic efforts. “Agreeing to disagree is also a way of building trust,” he observed, underlining the importance of maintaining dialogue and constructive engagement even amid strategic differences.
Schmid Praises Pakistan’s Mediation Role
The German parliamentarian also praised Pakistan’s recent mediation efforts between the United States and Iran, describing the initiative as a significant diplomatic achievement.
He said Germany would be willing to engage with Pakistan and draw lessons from its experience in mediation and diplomatic conflict management.
ISSI Calls for More Representative Global Governance
In his welcome remarks, ISSI Director General Ambassador Moin ul Haque said major-power competition, the Ukraine conflict, instability in the Middle East—including the consequences of the US-Israel attack on Iran—rapid military and technological transformation, and emerging non-traditional threats were collectively reshaping the global security landscape.
He called for a more representative, responsive and inclusive system of global governance that adequately reflects the legitimate security concerns and interests of developing countries.
Ambassador Moin ul Haque also highlighted the considerable potential for Pakistan and Germany to expand cooperation in a range of areas, including security dialogue, trade, technology, development, climate change, energy, education and regional connectivity.
Need for Sustained Transatlantic Cooperation
In his concluding remarks, Ambassador Jauhar Saleem, President of the Institute of Regional Studies (IRS), emphasised the increasingly interconnected nature of contemporary security challenges.
He noted that conflicts were no longer confined to their immediate geographic theatres but increasingly generated wider economic, political and security repercussions. He stressed the importance of sustained transatlantic cooperation while also advocating peaceful coexistence and constructive engagement with a rising China.
Earlier, CSP Director Dr Neelum Nigar observed that the evolution of German and European defence policies had implications extending far beyond Europe.
She highlighted the significance of these developments for Pakistan’s engagement with Germany and the European Union, particularly in the areas of security, economy, development, climate change and regional connectivity.
Diplomatic Community, Academics Attend Session
The talk was followed by an interactive question-and-answer session attended by members of the diplomatic community, government officials, academics, researchers, students, media representatives and civil-society stakeholders.
The discussion provided an opportunity for participants to exchange views on Germany’s changing defence and security posture, Europe’s evolving strategic environment and the broader implications of shifting global power dynamics.
BY: The Times Union
