Angela Merkel reported that the retreat had provided a forum for "intense discussions and in-depth consultations". There are already plans to hold the next working meeting in summer.

"The deliberations were enriching," declared Angela Merkel. As the retreat came to an end she declared herself "encouraged", in spite of the fact that "a whole lot of work" lies ahead. Sigmar Gabriel too praised the positive working atmosphere and emphasised how important it is for the individual ministries to work together on the Cabinet’s joint projects for the future.

Shift to sustainable energy on track

The Cabinet has pulled off a major coup, with the adoption of the outlines of the shift to put Germany’s energy supply on a more sustainable footing. Steps must be taken swiftly and resolutely to ensure reliable power supplies, stable prices and an environmentally sound energy supply. But the government must be careful not to overstretch the willingness of the people to support this shift in the country’s power supplies.

From what has been alleged and reported in some corners, one might be forgiven for thinking that the use of renewable energies is not to be expanded at all in future. This is simply not the case, declared Angela Merkel. All efforts will be geared to achieving the international target of generating 80 per cent of electricity from renewable energies by 2050. "We are right on track," said the Chancellor, in terms of the timescale. The goal must be to ensure that all renewable energies can hold their own on the market.

Federal Economics Minister Sigmar Gabriel will be ensuring that stakeholders do not lose sight of the costs and the need to ensure reliable power supplies. "We will make certain that, at the end of the day, attention focuses on the common good," he stressed.

Yesterday the Cabinet adopted the plans of the Federal Economics Minister regarding the shift to put Germany’ energy supplies on a more sustainable basis. He intends to reduce the average remuneration for new green power plants from the current level of 17 cents to 12 cents per kilowatt-hour. Parallel to this, the exemptions for industry provided for in the German Renewable Energies Act (EEG) are to be scaled back. By 2025 a total of between 40 and 45 per cent of Germany’s electricity is to be generated from renewable sources.

Pensions package launched

Angela Merkel also announced that the pensions package will begin its path through parliament on 29 January. Federal Labour and Social Affairs Minister, Andrea Nahles, has the support of the entire Cabinet for the work on this measure. "I am optimistic that we can come to an agreement with all ministries by next Wednesday," said the Chancellor. The package will include a provision to allow individuals who have already paid social insurance contributions for a period of many years to retire at 63 without seeing their pension reduced, improved provisions for mothers and the topping up of pensions for individuals with reduced earnings capacities.

European banking union remains on the agenda

The issue of the banking union will remain on the Cabinet’s agenda. The German government is already involved in talks at various levels in Brussels on this topic, explained Angela Merkel.

The comprehensive report of the Federal Foreign Minister indicated that there are a great many hot spots in the world. Germany will not shirk its responsibility, and will be doing its bit in the various regions concerned, underscored the Chancellor. With a view to the most recent conflicts in Africa, she said, that Germany will not be sending combat forces to the Central African Republic. Germany’s focus is on training measures in Mali.

Digital agenda planned

"We will be looking at the various forms and facets of the digital society," declared the Chancellor. A digital agenda is planned, under the joint aegis of the Federal Ministries of the Interior, Economic Affairs and Transport. This is a cross-cutting issue that cannot be handled by any one ministry alone.

New project "The good life – quality of life in Germany"

What do the people of Germany consider to be important? What constitutes a good life in terms of quality? All ministries will be planning to engage in dialogue with the people of Germany to answer these questions. It is not a question of material factors alone, but also of working time and a work-life balance, or to take another example, the question of who will look after me if I am sick, explained Angela Merkel.

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G8 summit in Schloss Elmau

And the Chancellor was able to announce another decision at the final press conference in Schloss Meseberg’s summer house: the 2015 G8 summit is to be held at Schloss Elmau. Schloss Elmau is situated in the Bavarian Alps near Garmisch-Partenkirchen, about 100 km south of Munich.

Germany will hold the G8 presidency in 2015, and will thus host the annual summit meeting of the G8 heads of state and government (the G8 states are USA, United Kingdom, France, Italy, Germany, Japan, Canada, Russia).

The dates for the summit will be agreed with the other G8 member states, Angela Merkel announced. In terms of subject matter the summit will take its lead from two international events: the new UN development goals for the post-2015 period, and the Paris Conference on Climate Change, which will be held at the end of 2014.