FILE - In this Dec. 16, 2013 file photo then designated German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, left, and then designated German Minister of Defence Ursula von der Leyen, stand next to each others after the signing of the coalition agreement at the Paul-Loebe-Haus of the German 'Bundestag' parliament in Berlin, Germany. After years in the diplomatic shadows, Germany looks keen to shed its image as a foreign-policy lightweight and assume a more vigorous role in shaping European policies in global hotspots from central Africa to Syria. New Foreign Minister Steinmeier has declared that Europe "cannot leave France alone" in Africa. He and von der Leyen are preparing to reinforce Germany's military role in Mali and help France at least logistically in Central African Republic. (AP Photo/dpa, Hannibal Hanschke, File)