Union (HU), Member of the Advisory Board (until 2012) KfW, Ex-Officio Member of the Board of Supervisory Directors (1998-2009) Political positions Global health In 2001, Wieczorek-Zeul called for 39 pharmaceutical firms – including GlaxoSmithKline, Merck, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Roche, and Boehringer Ingelheim – to abandon their legal challenge to a South African law designed to lower the price of patent-protected HIV and AIDS medicines. In March 2009, Wieczorek-Zeul criticized statements made by Pope Benedict XVI which claimed that condoms promote AIDS. when in fact they help prevent AIDS. In a joint statement with Health Minister Ulla Schmidt, she criticized the pope's remarks and underlined the importance of condom use in developing nations. In September 2009, Wieczorek-Zeul announced the German government’s pledge of an additional $130 million (€100 million) to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) for 2009 to 2013. Relations with Israel In 2006, Wieczorek-Zeul voiced criticism against Israel's attacks on civilian infrastructure in Lebanon during the 2006 Lebanon War, calling it "completely unacceptable." In response, Charlotte Knobloch, head of the Central Council of Jews in Germany, demanded her resignation. Relations with Tibet In May 2008, Wieczorek-Zeul was the only minister of Chancellor Merkel’s government who agreed to meet with the Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of Tibet, during a five-day visit to Germany. This was against the wishes of Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier and the leader of the Social Democrats, Kurt Beck, who had both said that no senior party leaders would meet with him. The visit took place eight months after a historic meeting between the Dalai Lama and Merkel caused a deep diplomatic rift between China and Germany. Recognition 1996 – Decoration of Honour for Services to the Republic of Austria 2001 – Polio Eradication Champion Award of Rotary International 2003 – Commitment to Development Award (jointly with the other three original members of the Utstein Group: Eveline Herfkens, Clare Short, and Hilde Frafjord Johnson) 2005 – Peter Beier Prize of the Evangelical Church in the Rhineland 2007 – Silver Rose Award of Solidar 2011 – Holger Börner Medal Controversy In 2007, Wieczorek-Zeul caused controversy by visiting President Bashar al-Assad of Syria in Damascus and promising 34 million euros in aid to the country. During her visit, she noted that Germany supported Syria's bid to sign a partnership agreement with the European Union. References External links Official Page of Wieczorek-Zeul Heidemarie Wieczorek-Zeul European Parliament 1942 births Living people