German foreign minister opens G7 meeting with nod to history

Münster, Germany

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock formally opened the meeting of G7 foreign ministers with a speech in the town hall where diplomats once negotiated the 1648 Peace of Westphalia, the treaty which ended the devastating Thirty Years’ War.

The primary focus of the two-day conference is the Russian invasion of Ukraine and its consequences. Baerbock has said the Group of Seven (G7) leading industrialized nations will coordinate aid to help Ukraine through the winter.

Baerbock said the host city of Münster and its historic town hall, known as the Peace Hall, embodied peace and the rule of law, concepts which resonated with the purpose of the present-day G7 meeting.

Baerbock indicated she chose Münster to host the conference because of the 17th century treaty’s symbolic and historical importance.

“The Peace of Westphalia gave birth to the idea of peaceful international cooperation between sovereign and equal states,” said Baerbock. “With that, the foundation of international law was laid.”

Germany holds the rotating G7 presidency until the end of the year. The group also includes France, Italy, Britain, Japan, Canada and the US.