Munich

Biden calls on Europe to put its men where its mouth is

Biden calls on Europe to put its men where its mouth isMunich - The US policy of taking world events into its own hands was officially buried by US Vice President Joe Biden in a major policy speech Saturday before the Munich Security Conference.

Now it remains to be seen whether the United States will follow through on its promises to consult with its allies and talk with its enemies - and how European leaders will cope with a world where they are expected to provide not just counsel, but also the manpower to turn their policy proposals into reality.

Solana: West should take Russian security plans seriously

Russian security plansMunich - The West should take Russian proposals for a new security system in Europe seriously, the European Union's top diplomat told the prestigious Munich Security Conference on Saturday.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev's call for a new security treaty in Europe "deserves to be taken seriously" and Europe and the United States "should engage in this discussion," EU foreign-policy chief Javier Solana told some 350 top politicians.

Medvedev launched the call for an international treaty aimed at outlawing the use of force "from Vancouver to Vladivostok" in June.

World asks for Qadeer access in Munich Conference

World asks for Qadeer access in Munich ConferenceMunich, Feb. 7: The world is worried over the acquittal of disgraced Pak scientist Dr. A. Q. Khan, and this concern was reciprocated during the ongoing 45th Munich Conference by major participating countries, The News reports.

Key participating countries in the conference have asked Islamabad to allow them an access to Khan, who was freed from house arrest after charges of illegal trade of nuclear techniques were put down by a court on Friday.

Steinmeier sees room for new security architecture

Steinmeier sees room for new security architecturMunich - The world needs to take advantage of new diplomatic opportunities to try to put together a new security infrastructure, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said Friday.

"The Cold War has been over for 20 years - which means it is high time that we start breaking out of that way of thinking, a way of thinking that sometimes accompanies us like a long shadow out of the past," he said, during opening speeches at the Munich Security Conference.

Will Joe Biden cook up a storm in Munich?

Will Joe Biden cook up a storm in Munich?Munich - US Vice President Joe Biden is set to give Europeans a preview of his country's new foreign policy agenda as he addresses the prestigious Munich Security Conference on Saturday.

Biden's speech is likely to outline US President Barack Obama's fresh approach to international affairs but won't delve into details on how Obama intends to address a long list of issues and challenges, analysts say.

Avoiding firm appointments on the rise in 21st century

Munich - Fixed appointments have become an exception in many people's lives.

While previously, it sufficed to say "Friday at 8" when setting a date, nowadays people discuss an appointment, but then agree to ring each other shortly beforehand only to postpone or cancel it. For some people, a short text message is all it takes.

It appears nobody wants to be pinned down by fixed appointments, but constant postponements amount to bad conduct and prevent real friendships from developing, behavioral experts say.

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