The relationship between Germany and Saudi Arabia is older than the Kingdom itself. In 1929, diplomatic ties were established between the German Reich and the Kingdom of the Hejaz, Najd and the affiliated territories. A copy of this agreement on the wall in front of my office reminds me every day of these long and lasting ties.
It is my task and pleasant duty to foster and intensify this friendly relationship. The warm welcome accorded to Chancellor Dr. Angela Merkel in Riyadh in February of this year and the scheduled visit of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah to Germany (Nov. 7-9, 2007) symbolize the intensity of our exchange and will hopefully pave the way for its further deepening.
There is always room for improvement. Especially in the economic field there is a huge potential for this, although the bilateral trade exchange is quite substantial: In 2006 Germany exported goods worth 4.6 billion euros (approximately SR23 billion) to the Kingdom and imported goods worth 1.6 billion euros (nearly SR8 billion) from Saudi Arabia. Germany therefore is the second biggest exporter to the Kingdom. The continuing economic upswing in both countries presents great opportunities.
Therefore, I make the case for more intense personal relations, calling on my fellow citizens to come and see the opportunities presented by the Saudi boom and modernization campaign. And I call on the citizens of Saudi Arabia to visit Germany and experience firsthand its diversity. The country in the heart of Europe is renowned for its machinery, logistical hubs like Frankfurt Airport and technology “Made in Germany,” but there is far more it can offer in fields such as culture and tourism. We all remember the 2006 Soccer World Championship as a great multicultural get-together many Saudis took part in as well.
Today, Oct. 3, 2007, marks the 17th anniversary of German Reunification. On Sept. 20, 1990 the German Bundestag in Bonn and the freely elected Volkskammer of the GDR in Berlin, both with large majorities, voted in favor of the Treaty between the Federal Republic of Germany and the German Democratic Republic on the establishment of German Unity. The following day the second house of the West-German parliament, the Bundesrat, unanimously endorsed the agreement. In this way, the juridical requisites for the Reunification of both German states were met and the goal of the German Basic Law to achieve German Unity in peace and security was reached. On Oct. 3, 1990, the GDR acceded to the Federal Republic of Germany. Unification being the most important event in modem German history, Oct. 3 was made the national holiday. After more than 40 years, the separation of East and West Germany came to an end. The fall of the “Iron Curtain” opened the door for a reunification of Europe as a whole. The accession of Romania and Bulgaria to the EU on Jan. 1, 2007 marks only the latest highlight in this ongoing process.
I convey my best wishes to all citizens and friends of Germany in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on the occasion of the Day of German Unity. I also thank my Saudi friends who have warmly welcomed me in their country.
