Interview: Reihard Bettzuege, German Ambassador
Posted 6:43 AM by Internal Voices in Labels: 8th edition
Astrid Bothmann, intern at UNRIC in Brussels, on her interview with Prof. Dr. Reinhard Bettzuege, Ambassador of Germany to Belgium
Mr Bettzuege has been working as the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany in Belgium since 2007. For over 30 years, he has been a member of the diplomatic core. Originally he hoped to become a foreign correspondent and while studying English, German and Law in Bonn, he worked as a journalist in order to finance his university education. In 1973 he traveled to Brazil as a foreign correspondent, staying for one year, but finally because of his interest in international politics, he applied to the German Foreign Ministry in Berlin. He underwent the obligatory a two-year training programme at the Diplomatic Academy in preparation for working at German embassies all over the world. Since 1976 Mr Bettzuege has been in Lisbon, London and Belgrade. He has also been German Deputy Ambassador to the Permanent Representation of Germany at NATO in Brussels, as well as director of the permanent representation of the OSCE Ambassador in Vienna.
Could you give us an idea of your daily life as the ambassador?
The Ambassador told me that it is his task to improve and maintain good bilateral relations between the home country and the host country. Reporting back to the Foreign Ministry takes up about half of his daily work. Mr Bettzuege informs them of all politically relevant issues happening in Belgium, such as the Belgian elections, the economic situation etc. And being Ambassador is not a one-way street either. “I am in daily contact with the Belgian Foreign Ministry,” he explained and said that “we are preparing a joint Belgian-German conference on scientific cooperation.” Another activity concerns the promotion of the German language in Belgium. Mr Bettzuege cooperates closely with Belgian schools and universities in order to organise a variety of events. Moreover, he establishes contacts with German firms who seek cooperation with the embassy. As for cultural activities, he works with the permanent representations of the German federal states in Brussels.
Do you see any disadvantages of being an ambassador?
“Personally speaking I do not see any disadvantages. Certainly, people wanting to become an Ambassador need to be aware of the fact that they are going to live an unsettled life. Every three to four years you have to pack your bags and move.” Mr. Bettzuege explained that there are of course the obvious difficulties in having an international career with its impact on family life, but as Mr Bettzuege explained to me, there are so many great opportunities and interesting people. “People might say that such relations are more superficial, but I myself have had the opposite experience.”
What advice do you give to people who want to become diplomats?
“Students should prepare themselves for the job during their studies. This means that they need to read at least three international newspapers in French, English and German, in order to be well informed about everything that is happening in the world,” both the news and comment sections, so you can better understand all the angles. “French and English are absolutely essential” and he highly recommends studying at least one year in another country. It’s not just about improving your language skills, but also “about experiencing different ways of living and thinking.” ■
Mr Bettzuege has been working as the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany in Belgium since 2007. For over 30 years, he has been a member of the diplomatic core. Originally he hoped to become a foreign correspondent and while studying English, German and Law in Bonn, he worked as a journalist in order to finance his university education. In 1973 he traveled to Brazil as a foreign correspondent, staying for one year, but finally because of his interest in international politics, he applied to the German Foreign Ministry in Berlin. He underwent the obligatory a two-year training programme at the Diplomatic Academy in preparation for working at German embassies all over the world. Since 1976 Mr Bettzuege has been in Lisbon, London and Belgrade. He has also been German Deputy Ambassador to the Permanent Representation of Germany at NATO in Brussels, as well as director of the permanent representation of the OSCE Ambassador in Vienna.
Could you give us an idea of your daily life as the ambassador?
The Ambassador told me that it is his task to improve and maintain good bilateral relations between the home country and the host country. Reporting back to the Foreign Ministry takes up about half of his daily work. Mr Bettzuege informs them of all politically relevant issues happening in Belgium, such as the Belgian elections, the economic situation etc. And being Ambassador is not a one-way street either. “I am in daily contact with the Belgian Foreign Ministry,” he explained and said that “we are preparing a joint Belgian-German conference on scientific cooperation.” Another activity concerns the promotion of the German language in Belgium. Mr Bettzuege cooperates closely with Belgian schools and universities in order to organise a variety of events. Moreover, he establishes contacts with German firms who seek cooperation with the embassy. As for cultural activities, he works with the permanent representations of the German federal states in Brussels.
Do you see any disadvantages of being an ambassador?
“Personally speaking I do not see any disadvantages. Certainly, people wanting to become an Ambassador need to be aware of the fact that they are going to live an unsettled life. Every three to four years you have to pack your bags and move.” Mr. Bettzuege explained that there are of course the obvious difficulties in having an international career with its impact on family life, but as Mr Bettzuege explained to me, there are so many great opportunities and interesting people. “People might say that such relations are more superficial, but I myself have had the opposite experience.”
What advice do you give to people who want to become diplomats?
“Students should prepare themselves for the job during their studies. This means that they need to read at least three international newspapers in French, English and German, in order to be well informed about everything that is happening in the world,” both the news and comment sections, so you can better understand all the angles. “French and English are absolutely essential” and he highly recommends studying at least one year in another country. It’s not just about improving your language skills, but also “about experiencing different ways of living and thinking.” ■
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