Download Ambassador`s address 25 Years of German Unity Dear Friends of

Ambassador’s address
25 Years of German Unity
Dear Friends of Germany,
Before addressing the main issue of this year’s German National Day - the 25th anniversary of
Germany’s reunification -, I would like to convey my special greetings to our host country
and to all German citizens living here in Kuwait. We experience Kuwait as a place of cordial
hospitality, for which we are very grateful.
Since 1964, strong diplomatic ties have developed between our two countries. Our bilateral
relations can clearly be qualified as excellent, forming an amicable partnership throughout the
last five decades and deserving our very special commemoration. In this context, I am pleased
to assure you that Germany with its high performance and innovative economy will remain an
attractive and reliable partner for Kuwait. This fact especially crystallized during the
liberation of Kuwait.
The strong ties between Germany and Kuwait were strengthened by three very important
official visits to Germany during the last year: the National Assembly Speaker, H. E. Mr.
Marzouq Al-Ghanim, in April, the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign
Affairs, H.E. Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, in May, and the Prime Minister,
Sheikh Jaber Mubarak Al- Hamad Al-Sabah, in September. Thus, it fills me with pride and
honour to highlight that the Federal Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Frank-Walter Steinmeier,
will be visiting Kuwait in October to conduct political talks.
In 2015, we are celebrating the 25th anniversary of Germany’s reunification. This unique
period of history was the beginning of a new era, - not only for Germany but also for a more
peaceful and more unified Europe. And therefore, it is historically equally important to the
rest of the world.
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The GDR joined the Federal Republic of Germany on 3 October 1990. Both states were
reunited after four decades of painful division. This historic event also marked the completion
of the international negotiation process. In the GDR, the Fall of the Berlin Wall on 9
November 1989 resulted in a peaceful revolution by German citizens. Today, this historic date
is known as the anniversary of Germany’s reunification - a national holiday that is celebrated
all across Germany and by German citizens abroad.
The German reunification, one of the most memorable events of our country’s newer history,
was achieved through negotiations resulting in the Two plus Four Treaty, - an agreement
honoured by the UNESCO as a “diplomatic masterpiece”. In this treaty the two German
states, and the four former allies Soviet Union, the United States, France and Great Britain
reached a settlement on the question how the borders and the future status of Germany were
to be regulated. The fact that East Germany acceded to West Germany on 3 October 1990,
less than a year after the Fall of the Wall, can be regarded as a testimony to the strong will of
the German people who wanted to see a reunited Germany, the strong leadership of the
United States under President George Bush and the remarkable vision of the Soviet Leader
Mikhail Gorbachev.
In the following years the newly built Germany had to face challenges that have been unique
in history. However, much progress has been made meanwhile. The aim to adapt living
standards in former East and West has been fulfilled to a large extent. For instance, the
disposable annual income of people living in former East Germany in 2006 was about 14,600
euros and has doubled since 1991. As almost the entire East German industry was outdated,
enormous financial efforts were called for to modernize it. Since reunification, around three
percent of the GDP (approximately 80 billion euros) have been transferred annually. In the
fields of education and healthcare there are hardly any differences to be seen. The
transportation and telecommunication infrastructure in former East Germany is among the
most modern in the world. Also in modern technologies, e.g. in the fields of energy and
environmental technologies, the newly formed German states have become very successful.
Most of the historical old towns have been restored in an exemplary manner and are now
major tourist magnets.
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“Es wächst zusammen, was zusammengehört!” – “What belongs together will grow
together!” How far have the Germans developed in this field? They have developed very far, I
am happy to state: the majority of all Germans think that the unification of Germany is a great
foundation for a better life based on freedom and the rule of law, which are enshrined in our
constitution, - the fundamental law.
In this spirit, I would like wish you all a happy and memorable anniversary of Germany’s
unification. I wish all of you, Germans and friends of Germany, peace and prosperity in the
spirit of unity.
May God bless you!
Ambassador Eugen Wollfarth
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