Statement by Foreign Minister Wadephul prior to his departure for The Hague, Bratislava and Strasbourg

Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul issued the following statement today (28 September 2026) prior to his departure for The Hague, Bratislava and Strasbourg: International rules are only as strong as our commitment to enforcing them. Particularly in a day and age when international institutions are increasingly being called into question, we must clearly endorse these rules, together with our partners across the globe.  Among our very closest partners are our neighbours in the Netherlands. We share with them the steadfast conviction that dependable rules are an advantage for all stakeholders – whether it be when engaging in business and trade or safeguarding fundamental international norms. In addition to conducting my first official visit to the foreign ministry of the Netherlands, while in The Hague, my Dutch counterpart Tom Berendsen and I will also visit the International Criminal Court. It is central in the fight against impunity for the most serious crimes that impact the international community, and it serves justice in precisely those cases for which national judiciaries are either unable or unwilling to act. Germany will contribute to ensuring that the ICC r...