Translation of advance text.
Just before the turn of the year, a new book was published. It is titled Worte in finsteren Zeiten (Words for dark times). In it, 91 authors and public figures attempt to counteract the general feeling of helplessness and speechlessness given the gloomy state of the world, by sharing words of hope and optimism. It is a collection of poems, speeches and essays; it is a collection that is meant to give hope. The book includes writings by Hannah Arendt, James Baldwin and Franz Kafka – the 100th anniversary of whose death we are marking this year – as well as by Dževad Karahasan.
Words of optimism, including those of the French author Georges Perec, who says: It is on a day like this one, a little later, a little earlier, that everything starts, that everything continues.
I am sure you already understand, Excellencies, the inherent power and meaning of language. Without it, without language, one could hardly imagine conducting diplomacy. Your very job description is finding suitable words for any occasion, whether the message be candid, empathetic or personal. Especially in times like these we indeed need both: not just candour, but also repeated clarification – in view of the tremendous changes taking place around the globe, in view of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, the new war in the Middle East, the fighting in the Sudan and the Sahel, and the many, far too many, other crises we face around the world.
It is your job as ambassadors to create spaces for dialogue and exchange, spaces in which we can look for common ground. I am sure you all agree with me on this. That is why I am pleased that this year, once again, so many of you have accepted my invitation; maybe you also did so thinking that we can use this opportunity to together embark on a fresh, new year of dialogue – and I therefore want to bid you a very warm welcome to Schloss Bellevue! Whether or not our hopes for the new year will have been justified is also up to each and every one of us.
The Reception for the Diplomatic Corps is a very nice New Year’s tradition. It, too, is an occasion for which fitting words need to be found, for what is happening in the world. That is part of my job description: finding encouraging words, words of hope, as well as candid words, when it comes to the crises and challenges we collectively face these days.
The brutal terrorist attack by Hamas on Israel on 7 October last year set off a new war in the Middle East. We here in Germany also see the effects of this conflict in the daily life of our communities: on our streets – not just in Berlin – and in our schools. And you all have certainly felt the impact in your work at the embassies: This war is having a profound emotional impact on people all around the world, including in our country. You all know that Germany stands at Israel’s side as it defends itself against terrorism. And Germany is committed to the upholding of international humanitarian law, to the protection of civilian lives and to alleviating the great human suffering in the Gaza Strip. The German Foreign Minister made this clear once again during her most recent trip to the Middle East. I visited the Middle East myself in late November, not only to assure Israel of our unwavering solidarity. I also went to Qatar and Oman for discussions regarding the release of the Israeli hostages and possible ways of resolving the conflict. One thing, however, is clear: The only way to have permanent peace in the Middle East is for two independent states to provide for the security and future prospects of Israelis and Palestinians. We are still in the midst of war. We must not let up in hoping for peace! And we must work to achieve this peace – even more than we have done in recent years.
In Ukraine, people are already spending their second winter fighting a war against the Russian attackers. Since the year began, we have again learned through Russia’s massive airstrikes on Kharkiv, Kyiv and many other cities that Putin will obviously eschew no means in his illegal war against Ukraine. He even has no qualms about attacking civilian targets. On the contrary – it is specifically these attacks that are intended to wear down the population. Putin wants war, not peace. He wants to wipe Ukraine off the map. We continue to stand unwaveringly in solidarity with Ukraine. You know that Germany is Ukraine’s second-largest supporter, and we will continue to work at European level, too, to ensure that Ukraine continues getting the support it needs. A country that has come under attack must be able to defend its freedom and independence. Respect for the sovereignty of another country is the principle of international law that must be safeguarded, in all of our interests.
We all stand here today because we believe in the power of words and the power of communication. And because we know that there are challenges that we can and must face up to together. The greatest of these is without a doubt climate change, the effects of which are having an ever greater impact all around the world – in particular in those countries that themselves have contributed least to global warming. Whether it be East Africa, which suffered through its worst drought in forty years right before being hit by severe flooding; whether it be devastating forest fires that threaten Australia’s unique wildlife; or whether it be deluges of water that wash away entire towns in Europe or threaten to sink island states in the South Seas: it is only by acting together that we will be able to successfully fight climate change and mitigate the dramatic effects of global warming. Since many countries in the world share this view, new alliances are being formed that can give us hope. At COP28, we saw what can be achieved when the international community takes concerted action and focuses on common goals – despite all differences.
Placing our hope in new partnerships that benefit both sides – that is what we, too, want, and it is what you as diplomats want. It is why, this year once again, I will travel to different regions of the world. My first trip abroad this year, in one and a half weeks, will take me back to South Asia, this time to Viet Nam and Thailand. I will also be returning to Africa, the eastern Mediterranean and the Gulf region this year. This all goes to show that we Germans have a keen interest in maintaining a wide range of partnerships. And I am grateful that many of my points of contact have gathered here today who share this same interest.
For many democracies, large and small, all around the world, 2024 will be an important election year. I would even go so far as to say that 2024 is a year when democracy itself will be put to the test. Approximately half of the entire global population is being called upon to vote in 2024. Here in Europe, citizens of the EU’s 27 member states will be electing a new European Parliament in the early summer. And I firmly believe that democracies here in Europe especially must show that they are strong and self-confident. They must show they are stronger than the enemies of a united Europe, as well as stronger than those who believe that withdrawing into our national shell and pulling up the drawbridge is a cure-all answer to global challenges. Only very recently, we gathered in Paris for the funeral of a truly great European. The former President of the European Commission, Jacques Delors, who called on us, the generations to come, to give a soul to Europe
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Yesterday, in Düsseldorf, was the first game of the men’s European Handball Federation Championship, which Germany is hosting. And very soon, fans from around the world will gather and celebrate at the UEFA European Championship, which is also taking place here in Germany. Here, too, much like in international politics, thorough preparation, having a good team and observing the rules of fair play are key.
No-one knows that better than you, Excellencies! We already proved this during our joint trip last summer while playing penalty shoot-outs at the German Football Museum in Dortmund – although to my knowledge there is no replay footage that can be used as unequivocal evidence.
This year, by the way, our trip will take us to Brandenburg. That’s what I can tell you at this time. I really look forward to it. Not only because I myself lived in Brandenburg for many years, but also because Brandenburg is one of the five Länder that have been part of the Federal Republic since reunification and that share a special history.
This year, our attention will be drawn more than usual to the multifaceted history of East and West Germany. It is this year that we will mark 75 years of the Basic Law and the 35th anniversary of the peaceful revolution. Both the founding of the Federal Republic of Germany and the successful struggle for democracy and freedom in East Germany – as well as German Unity – none of these could have been achieved, and I want to say this expressly here today, without international support, without the trust of our European neighbours. In short, without the power of words and diplomacy. So that is why I already today want to very warmly invite you to join us when we celebrate this birthday in May. Come join our celebration of the 75th anniversary of the Basic Law, join us to celebrate the bedrock of our democracy!
Allow me to conclude by again expressing my sincere gratitude for the good cooperation we’ve enjoyed over the past year. It’s wonderful that you all are here today. Let us raise our glasses to a healthy New Year! I look forward to continuing to work with all of you.
A warm welcome to you.