- The images that will forever be linked with the unification of Germany are evocative: A euphoric nation, jubilant masses at the Brandenburg Gate, people in one another’s arms, laughing and crying with joy at the same time; the crowd shouting “we are the people!” The whole world witnessed people’s power and courage.
The world saw how people’s desire to be free could topple a dictatorship. The political unification of the two German states followed a year later on Oct. 3, 1990.
The 20th anniversary of German unity gives us an opportunity to look back and be thankful that the path to a unified Germany turned out to be so unexpectedly straightforward and was traveled so fast. We are grateful to our Western and Eastern partners for this. Indeed we will never forget the support and sympathy they demonstrated during our unification process.
Germany promised that in return for unity in freedom they would be solidly integrated into Europe and the international community. We will keep that promise. Over the years, together with our partners, we have achieved a great deal in Europe. Today 500 million Europeans from 27 countries live in a common judicial area in peace and freedom. The European Union is a unique, successful reconciliation and peace project. Twenty years after German unity, it remains our task to make the world a more peaceful and pleasant place to live in. Germany’s foreign policy is peace policy. We are facing numerous challenges that we in our globalized world can only tackle together. Disarmament, climate change, energy supply and demographic development are only a few of the major issues Europe and the world must address in the future.
German unification taught us that the seemingly impossible can happen after all if you have the courage and the willingness to take the right decisions. Germany will be a reliable partner in this endeavor.