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 Germany |  Guinea |
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The quality ofGermany–Guinea relations has been subject to some fluctuations since bilateral relations were established in 1958. Due to its long history of cooperation in development policy, theFederal Republic of Germany enjoys a good reputation among the Guinean public.[1]
Otto Friedrich von der Groeben led a colonial expedition to theGuinea coast in 1682 on behalf ofFrederick William, Elector of Brandenburg. He published his travelogues in 1692, bringing the region to the attention of a wider German-speaking audience for the first time. In the late 19th century,Frederick Colin established trading posts along theDubréka River in what is nowGuinea, and in 1884 requested a letter of protection for his possessions from Imperial ChancellorOtto von Bismarck. A year later, Colin founded the companyFr. Colin, Deutsch-Afrikanisches Geschäft inFrankfurt am Main, and on January 6, 1885, KaiserWilhelm I issued an official letter of protection from the Reich for the Dubréka colony the Dembia colony (See alsoKapitaï and Koba). However, in December 1885, the German Empire recognized France's sovereignty over theprotectorates acquired by Colins in the Franco-German Protocol.[2]
After Guinea's independence, diplomatic relations with theFederal Republic of Germany (FDR) were established in 1958. After Guinea sent a diplomat toEast Berlin in theGerman Democratic Republic (GDR) in 1960, a diplomatic scandal ensued and the Federal Republic withdrew its ambassador to Guinea under theHallstein Doctrine. To settle the crisis, Guinea then denied ever having sent an ambassador. In 1962, theGuinea national team played its first international match against theGDR national football team, losing 3–2. In 1970, Guinea finally established diplomatic relations with the GDR, which caused the FRG to break off relations. Five years later, relations with the FRG resumed.[1]
AfterGerman reunification, bilateral relations developed positively, but deteriorated under the presidency ofLansana Conté. In 2008, Germany suspended development cooperation with Guinea following a military coup. After democratic elections were held in 2010 and 2013, relations between the two countries improved significantly. In 2014, the two countries concluded an investment protection and promotion agreement. In 2019, a migration agreement was signed between the two countries.[1]
In 2021, the bilateral trade volume was 210 million euros, placing Guinea 118th in the ranking of Germany's trading partners.[3] Germany imports criticalraw materials from Guinea, such asbauxite, and in return exports mainly industrial and chemical products to the country.[1]
Germany has been providing development aid in Guinea since the 1970s (with interruptions). German development policy focuses on basic education and health. It also implements measures to promote employment. Other programs focus on improving governance and environmental protection. The German Adult Education Association runs adult literacy programs in the country, and theWeltfriedensdienst (World Peace Service) is involved in conflict prevention. In addition, various private initiatives are active in the country.[4]
Despite a positive image of Germany, German culture is relatively unknown in Guinea. Some Guineans have studied in the Federal Republic of Germany and also in the GDR. In recent years, interest in German education has increased in Guinea. A partnership exists between theUniversity of Conakry and theUniversity of Bremen.[4]
In 2021, there were just under 19,000Guineans living in Germany.[5]
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