Today, on 3rd October 2022, we Germans commemorate the 32nd anniversary of reunification of West and East Germany. On this Day of German Unity, as we call it, Germans are celebrating the fortunate events around the fall of the Berlin wall back in 1989/90. Those events lead to unity, freedom and the rule of law in reunited Germany. 
Those are the fundamentals for every democracy, be it in Europe, Asia or any other part of our world. 

Before Germany became officially reunified on 3rd October 1990, our neighbours and partners placed a great deal of trust in us. We will always be grateful for that. We perceive this as an obligation to shoulder international responsibility and to stand up for shared values. Reunited Germany is committed to peace and security worldwide within the framework of EU, UN, NATO, OECD and others. 

The European Union is of particular relevance to Germany, we have always believed in the virtues of a strong and united Europe. History has taught us that Europe is most successful when it acts united as one, without internal animosities. This is why we consider joint action by the EU and its member states as the best – and only - way to successfully meet global challenges.

Let us face reality: We are living in extremely volatile times. There are huge challenges for international relations and diplomacy, mainly created by Russia’s barbarous war of aggression against its neighbour Ukraine. It is not least due to this war that many countries have to cope with contracting economies and supply shortages. Business companies have to lower their growth forecasts and cut jobs. Individuals suffer from high inflation and scarcities. 
We are living in uncertain times with an unpredictable future.

All this applies for the world as a whole and for Sri Lanka in particular. After its sovereign debt default of April 2022, however, the situation in Sri Lanka has become particularly complex. Sri Lanka is not confronted with a single crisis; it has to fight a multitude of interconnected crises with adverse effects on everyone’s life. Overcoming Sri Lanka’s challenges is a truly Herculean task. In the absence of a Sri Lankan Hercules, however, joint and coordinated action is required. All Sri Lankans need to be included into the process of bringing Sri Lanka back on track. 

As German Ambassador to Sri Lanka, I am looking forward to further strengthening our 69 years old bilateral relations. We might not agree on every issue, we might actually have differing opinions on a wider range of issues. However, the fact that we have always been able to discuss those differences openly shows the quality of our relations. Germany and Sri Lanka are friends.   

Let me conclude by reiterating that Germany stands ready to support Sri Lanka on its long and winding road to a brighter future. Let us tackle the challenges ahead of us, and let us do so together!

Ambassador Holger Seubert