The signature of September 12th 1990 of the German Treaty, usually called the ' 2+4 Treaty', has given Germany its full sovereignty and ended the chapter of the 'Deutsche Frage'. Even if the scope that was laid down with this treaty, has been a real success for the international community, it would not survive the German reunification.

Four years after the achievement of the German unity, the powers that are at the origin of the 2+4 Treaty - that is to say the United-States, France, Great Britain, the ex-USSR / Russia - and Germany were once again gathered in the Balkans in the so-called 'Contact group'. But the Kosovo episode and the first divergences that arose between the States, increased by the Iraqi crisis in 2003 seem to question every future action in a similar configuration.

Yet, in spite of existing tensions, Germany sees the Western implanting, the European integration but also the transatlantic partnership and the stability in Eastern Europe, as its priorities. This leads Germany to take care of its bilateral relationships with each former occupying power, as it is highlighted in this article.