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Speech by Ambassador von Goetze on the Day of German Unity 2023
Clemens von Goetze, Botschafter der Bundesrepublik Deutschland in Japan, steht am Rande eines Termins vor dem Goethe-Institut Tokio., © picture alliance/dpa | Bernd von Jutrczenka
Dear Prof. Dr. Steinbach, Minister for Economic Affairs, Labour and Energy of the German federal state of Brandenburg,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Dear guests and friends!
A very warm welcome to all of you on this year's Day of German Unity.
Today, we celebrate the reunification of our country in peace and freedom after being divided for over four decades. Back then, 33 years ago, we had hope for lasting peace and the triumph of democracy throughout Europe, including Russia. However, with Russia's brutal attack on Ukraine in violation of international law, we had to finally realise that our wish for peace and freedom for all Europeans is not self-fulfilling. Yet, we remain determined to defend democracy and stand up for human rights and the rules-based international order - in Europe and other parts of the world, including here in the Indo-Pacific. However, to achieve our goal, we need strong partnerships based on shared values. Japan is such a crucial partner and friend for us.
Today, our two countries are working more closely together than ever - bilaterally and internationally.
High- and highest-ranking German officials visited Japan this year and last year. Notably, Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who even came thrice. Also almost all German federal ministers, several prime ministers of Germany’s federal states, the Länder, numerous committees of the German Bundestag and many more recently paid a visit to Japan. In March of this year, Germany and Japan held their first intergovernmental consultations. Chancellor Scholz came to Tokyo accompanied by six federal ministers and a large business delegation. The two governments have thus elevated German-Japanese cooperation in crucial areas such as economic security to a new level. We are working together to strengthen multilateral trading systems, build secure, sustainable and resilient supply chains in strategic areas such as rare earths, semiconductors and batteries, and promote partnerships between our countries' industries. The Russian aggression has made it clear to us that Germany needs to reduce unilateral dependencies and accelerate its transition to future technologies while building energy markets with reliable partners. The energy partnership between Germany and Japan offers excellent opportunities for achieving this goal, including the development of hydrogen technology.
In their back-to-back G7 presidencies of last year and this year, Germany and Japan have also cooperated closely within the framework of the Group of Seven. Japan has used its current chairmanship to advance significant initiatives such as protecting the rules-based international order in times of unprecedented challenges in Europe and the Indo-Pacific, combating climate change, protecting the environment, promoting inclusive economic growth, addressing global health challenges, and promoting gender equality.
Given the dramatically changing geopolitical situation, Germany and Japan are also becoming ever-closer partners regarding security and defence policy. Both countries' foreign and defence ministers consult in the 2+2 format, and security policymakers from the two parliaments maintain intensive exchanges. Furthermore, this year, the Munich Security Conference held its forum in Japan, and the German defence minister accompanied by the inspectors of the German Federal Armed Forces, the Bundeswehr, visited Japan. The Bundeswehr has sent the frigate "Bayern" as well as Air Force Eurofighters and members of the Federal Armed Forces to Japan for joint exercises and training and will continue to do so in the coming year.
However, Germany and Japan do not only cooperate closely at the national level. With approximately 70 German-Japanese partnerships, the regional and municipal levels also contribute significantly to deepening the German-Japanese friendship. I am particularly looking forward to celebrating the 30th anniversary of the city partnership between Berlin and Tokyo next year.
Finally, but importantly, the significant number of close interpersonal contacts supports and promotes our bilateral exchange. Last week, when holding our annual embassy painting competition, "Watashi no Doitsu - My Germany", 600 Japanese primary and junior high school students painted pictures about Germany, overboard with humour and creativity. Members of the Japanese-German Societies tell me repeatedly, often in fluent German, about their close ties to Germany. I am deeply indebted to all of you who work voluntarily for the exchange between our countries.
Let me conclude by expressly thanking our sponsors: NRW Global Business, Eastern Kaffee Trade, Rittal Japan, the Tokyo Office of the German National Tourist Board, Dale Carnegie, Lufthansa Group, the Representative Office of the Free State of Bavaria in Japan, Juchheim, DHL Global Forwarding Japan K.K., CBI Partners Co., Ltd, Racine and K.K. Irisu (Illies).
I have no doubts that the German-Japanese partnership, which has grown over more than 160 years, will continue to contribute significantly to overcoming the challenges our world faces now and in the future. I am genuinely delighted that you have all come to celebrate this German-Japanese friendship with us, and I thank you for your attention.