Foreign Minister Dr Johann Wadephul welcomed the numerous guests from the media, the diplomatic corps, the political sphere and international organisations to the roof terrace of the Federal Foreign Office. In his welcoming address, the host paid tribute to the cooperative relationship, built on trust, between the Federal Foreign Office and journalists from both Germany and abroad. Free, independent and reliable reporting, he said, is an essential foundation for transparency and democratic discourse – particularly in times of international crises and geopolitical challenges. Held in glorious summer weather, the reception once again underlined the importance of open dialogue between diplomacy and the media and sent a clear signal in favour of a vibrant culture of communication in German foreign policy. Among the guests were many familiar faces from the media landscape.