Unification of Germany shows us the possibilities: German FM
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The unification of east and west Germans showed us that we can acheive what seems impossible, said German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas in a message on Friday for the 30th anniversary for the unification.
“The fall of the Berlin Wall and German reunification showed us that many things are possible that long seemed impossible. To achieve them requires courage, determination and the instinctive ability to take the right decisions at the right time,” said Heiko.
The German Democratic Republic (GDR or East Germany) began constructing a wall on its borders with West Germany on August 13, 1961. The wall cut the movement of people from both sides and separated both Germanies physically, socially and politically.
However, the GDR decided on November 9, 1989 to allow its citizens to visit West Germany. This paved the way for the demolition of the wall and the unification of both Germanies on October 3, 1990.
“Jubilant masses at the Brandenburg Gate, people in one another’s arms, simultaneously laughing and crying for joy. It is moving images like these that we associate with the fall of the Wall in November 1989 and German unification 30 years ago,” recounted the minister.
“Thirty years of German unity provide an occasion not only for many people in Germany but also for many others throughout the world to look back. The message at the time was that major successes cannot be achieved single handedly but only in close cooperation with neighbours and partners,” he added.
“The fall of the Berlin Wall and German reunification showed us that many things are possible that long seemed impossible. To achieve them requires courage, determination and the instinctive ability to take the right decisions at the right time,” said Heiko.
The German Democratic Republic (GDR or East Germany) began constructing a wall on its borders with West Germany on August 13, 1961. The wall cut the movement of people from both sides and separated both Germanies physically, socially and politically.
However, the GDR decided on November 9, 1989 to allow its citizens to visit West Germany. This paved the way for the demolition of the wall and the unification of both Germanies on October 3, 1990.
“Jubilant masses at the Brandenburg Gate, people in one another’s arms, simultaneously laughing and crying for joy. It is moving images like these that we associate with the fall of the Wall in November 1989 and German unification 30 years ago,” recounted the minister.
“Thirty years of German unity provide an occasion not only for many people in Germany but also for many others throughout the world to look back. The message at the time was that major successes cannot be achieved single handedly but only in close cooperation with neighbours and partners,” he added.