(April 11st, 2016) German Chancellor Angela Merkel has defended the European Union’s agreement with Turkey aimed at stemming the flood of refugees into Europe from the Mideast.
Before the deal, Mrs. Merkel had been under increasing domestic political pressure, mostly from the right, to tighten the borders.
The Boston Global Forum has named the chancellor a “World Leader for Peace, Security and Development.’’
(March 28th, 2016) Taking second place of the list of 50 of the world’s greatest leaders is German chancellor Ms Merkel, who is currently facing an anti-migrant backlash after hoardes of refugees flooded the borders.
Fortune magazine had named German Chancellor Angela Merkel as number 2 (after Amazon’s Jeff Bezos) on its list of the world’s greatest leaders. The award comes despite the fact that she faces a political backlash because of her government’s acceptance of up to a million migrants over the past year, mostly from the Mideast.
Fortune noted: “She is the only Continental leader whose term in office predates the 2008 financial crisis, a winner of three general elections who has also seen off countless intra-party rivals.”
Aun San Suu Kyi, leader of the National League for Democracy party in Myanmar, was ranked as third while Pope Francis came in fourth in the list.
Last December, The Boston Global Forum named Chancellor Merkel one of its “World Leaders for Peace, Security and Development’’.
(Jan.31, 2016) – In an effort to placate the increasingly vocal critics of her open-door policy for refugees the German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Saturday at a regional meeting of her Christian Democratic Union (CDU) in the state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania that “Once there is peace in Syria again, once IS has been defeated in Iraq, that you go back to your home country with the knowledge that you have gained.”
German chancellor Angela Merkel says refugees will return to their homeland, once the war is over. Photo: Fredrik von Erichsen
The critics come after increasing reports of Crime and security, in particular, a wave of assaults on women in Cologne at New Year celebration by men of north African and Arab appearance.
Merkel also urged the European countries to offer more help to reduce the illegal refugees, according the Reuters.
See more at http://www.smh.com.au/world/germanys-angela-merkel-says-refugees-must-return-home-once-war-over-20160130-gmhu1h.html
(BGF) – Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel was awarded the World Leader in Peace, Security and Development for her “exemplary leadership in promoting peace, security, and development not only in Germany but in the EU and adjoining regions” in the Global Cybersecurity Day event which was held on December 12 at Harvard Faculty Club.
Watch full remarks of Governor Dukakis, Chairman and co-founder of Boston Global Forum, in honoring Chancellor Merkel’s achievements here:
Below is the transcript of the remarks:
I am pleased to announce a recipient of this year’s World Leader in Peace, Security, and Development Award—Chancellor Angela Merkel.
The award is given to individuals who display exemplary leadership in promoting peace, security, and development.
Chancellor Merkel has worked tirelessly toward these goals, not only in Germany but in the EU and adjoining regions.
Now in her 10th year as chancellor, she has a legacy few post-war European leaders can match. She has led Germany through its economic recovery, while also holding together the Euro Zone as it faced the danger of default by a member nation. She has led the European response to the crisis in Ukraine, promoting tough sanctions while speaking out against those that would escalate the military conflict.
Most recently, she has led the European response to the refugee crisis and done so by example, opening Germany’s borders and doors to nearly a million asylum seekers. In words addressed to the German people but intended for all of Europe, she said:
“In many regions war and terror prevail. States disintegrate. For many years we have read about this. We have heard about it. We have seen it on TV. But we had not yet sufficiently understood that what happens in Aleppo and Mosul can affect Essen or Stuttgart. We have to face that now.”
Such efforts have put Chancellor Merkel in the forefront among world leaders in advancing the cause of peace, security, and development. The Boston Global Forum is honored to present her this award.
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