German Ambassador to Bahrain Kai Boeckmann has issued the following message on the occasion of the Day of German Unity:
“Thirty years ago, on October 3, 1990, Germany was reunited.
“It is worth looking back on the events which led to the fall of the Berlin Wall and to the reunification of the European continent.
“They contain two important messages which give us hope in today’s world sometimes dominated by worries about Covid-19 and international rivalries.
“The first message is that major breakthroughs are not achieved single-handedly but only in close co-operation with neighbours and partners – just like the diplomatic masterpiece of the ‘2+4’ negotiations between the USA, the UK, France, Soviet Union and the two German states which made German unification possible less than a year after the fall of the Berlin Wall.
“The second message from the events of 1989-90 is that patient reconciliation and people-to-people contacts between neighbours who are divided by mistrust can, over the years, create the ground for co-operation between them.
“This was the success of the politics of cross-border visits and confidence-building measures between neighbours adopted by West Germany in the framework of the ‘New Eastern Policy’ in the 1970s.
“That is why today the building of trust and close international co-operation are the guiding principles of German foreign policy.
“The great challenges of our days – climate change, Covid-19, migration – can only be tackled together.
“The relationship between the Federal Republic of Germany and the Kingdom of Bahrain is a vital element in our global network of partnerships.
“For more than 48 years of diplomatic relations, Germany and Bahrain have been working together as close partners.
“This partnership extends to many areas – in the United Nations (UN), German and Bahraini diplomats are working side-by-side to address global challenges.
“In the economic field, Bahraini companies are steadily increasing their exports to Germany.
“German companies are investing and producing in Bahrain, supported by the Economic Development Board.
“They are offering job opportunities and training to Bahrainis, with the valuable support of Tamkeen.
“In the cultural field, the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities has helped to bring outstanding artists from Germany to the Bahraini public.
“The language courses offered by the German Embassy are flourishing even in times of Covid-19.
“Over the last year, the German Embassy has substantially extended its windows to the public – our Instagram account @germanyinbahrain has won more than 3,000 followers in less than two years.
“For more than a year now, our Twitter account @germanybahrain is offering up-to-date information relevant to Germany and Bahraini-German relations.
“The recent visit of the Foreign Affairs Minister Dr Abdullatif Al Zayani to Berlin and his meeting with German Foreign Affairs Minister Heiko Maas has once more underscored the close relationship between our two countries.
“In these days, the Kingdom of Bahrain, under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad, has taken important steps towards peace in the region.
“These steps were warmly welcomed by Germany on several occasions.
“Confidence-building measures by all sides are now crucial to regain momentum in the Middle East peace process.
“Germany stands ready to support these efforts jointly with our partners in European Union, Arab League and the UN.
“I am very grateful for the continuous support extended to German-Bahraini relations by His Majesty King Hamad, by His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa and by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Premier.
“Germany and Bahrain are linked by a strong partnership which is continuing to grow and develop.
“On the occasion of this year’s recurrence of German Unity Day, I am pleased to extend a special invitation to all.
“To honour our National Day, the German Embassy in Manama will celebrate by holding a virtual event starting at 7pm on October 3 at http://www.manama.diplo.de/germanunity2020; no registration is required.”