Geopolitical implications of economic development of Germany after reunification

Njemačka se od poslušnog i skrušenog partnera EU-a s vremenom formirala u pouzdanog partnera EU-a. Iako sami Nijemci ne bi rekli da su se promijenili, njihovo djelovanje je drugačije. Osnovne vrijednosti poput multilateralizma, konsenzusa te ljudskih prava su od ujedinjenja do danas zastupljene, no drugačije se interpretiraju. Tako prodaja oružja kurdskim Pešmergama krši prvotnu zamisao načela ljudskih prava. Zaobilaženje sankcija nametnutih Iranu od SAD-a potiče multilateralizam, ali suprotstavljanje sankcijama SAD-a narušava odnos EU-a i SAD-a te ugrožava konsenzus. Njemačka se razvijala od treće sile u EU-u pa sve do vodeće sile, koja za većinu država Istočne Europe predstavlja pol kojemu teže. S druge strane je odnos Njemačke s Istokom uvjetovan ekonomskom suradnjom, odnosno trgovinom plina, što utječe na ovisnost Njemačke, odnosno EU-a o Rusiji. Ta ekonomska ovisnost ograničava geopolitičku moć EU-a. Ipak se Njemačka kao predvodnik EU-a zalaže za energetsko osamostaljenje do 2050. godine, investirajući u obnovljive izvore energije. Time će geopolitička moć EU-a doseći svoj puni potencijal.Over time, Germany has evolved from an obedient and contrite partner of the EU into a reliable partner of the EU. Although the Germans themselves would not say that they have changed, their actions are different. Core values such as multilateralism and consensus, human rights have been represented since unification until today, but are interpreted differently. Thus, the sale of weapons to the Kurdish Peshmerga violates the original idea of human rights principles. Bypassing US sanctions imposed on Iran encourages multilateralism, but opposing US sanctions undermines EU-US relations and threatens consensus with disrespect. German geopolitics has evolved from a third power in the EU, up to a leading power, which is for most Eastern European countries the pole they aspires to. On the other hand, Germany's relationship with the East is conditioned by economic cooperation, ie gas trade, which affects the dependence of Germany and the EU on Russia. This economic dependence limits the EU's geopolitical power. Nevertheless, Germany, as the EU leader, is committed to energy independence by 2050, investing in renewable energy sources. The EU's geopolitical power will reach its full potential at that time