BY THÉRÈSE MARGOLIS
The News
German Ambassador to Mexico Edmund Duckwitz and his wife Joke Duckwitz hosted a reception at their residence last month to mark the 23rd anniversary of that country’s reunification.
“The events that led to the fall of the Berlin Wall and the eventual reunification as a state happened nearly 24 years ago, and are among the most important moments in modern history,” Duckwitz told his guests at the start of the event.
“At that time, practically no one could have imagined the enormous consequences that the fall of the Berlin Wall would have far beyond Germany’s borders.”
Duckwitz went on to say that the peaceful revolution within the then-German Democratic Republic (GDR) in 1989, which led to the destruction of the Berlin Wall and emergence of a new government committed to liberalization, “fulfilled a long awaited dream” not just for Germans, but for many people across Europe.
“A wave of freedom surged across the entire continent and European integration was given a fresh impetus,” he said.
“Many of the states that less than a quarter century ago were separated by an invisible iron curtain are today a fundamental part of the European Union.”
The ambassador also said that despite its recent economic problems, the European Union is “a true story of success and example of what we can all accomplish if we work together.”
“For younger German generations, unification has become something commonplace and normal, and a unified Europe is nothing special for young Europeans,” Duckwitz said.
“But despite outside and sometimes justifiable criticism, we should focus once again on the accomplishments that have been achieved thanks to a unified Europe.”
He added that the still-strong attraction that neighboring states have toward the EU “are not coincidental.”
“Europe, as we know it today, may be a normal phenomenon for many, but it is not a natural one,” Duckwitz said.
“We all have a responsibility to learn from our past, from the period before German unification and the establishment of European Union. We must work together enthusiastically and optimistically to overcome the problems which may arise and to continue developing the European project. Thusly, Europe, with its vast economic potential and exceptional values can continue in the future to play an important role in our global world.”
Duckwitz also spoke about Germany’s bilateral relations with Mexico, which he said were “broad and based on trust” in all fields.
“Germany traditionally enjoys an esteemed reputation in Mexico and Germans are fascinated by this country and its rich culture,” he said.
“Germany is fully committed to Mexico economically, politically and culturally and we have a good and intense two-way political dialogue.”
With a combined two-way trade of more than $17 billion annually and with more than 1,000 German companies with investment in Mexico amounting to capital holdings of more than $3.3 billion since the year 2000, Duckwitz said that there is even closer commercial and economic cooperation slated for the near future.
German companies currently account for 6 percent of Mexico’s Gross Domestic Product, and provide 120,000 jobs to Mexican workers.
Duckwitz likewise pointed out that since Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto took office late last year, there has been on ongoing exchange of high-level visits.
He mentioned examples of bilateral cooperation in science, technology, academics and culture.
On Aug. 23, 1990, the East German Parliament agreed to formal reunification with West Germany, and on Oct. 3, 1990, the massive European country was reunited as a single nation under the west’s then-Chancellor Helmut Kohl.
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