德國聯邦外交部長二零一三年德國統一日致辭

德國聯邦外交部長、聯邦議會議員吉多•韋斯特韋勒博士 二零一三年德國統一日致辭

對於我們德國人來說，德國統一日是一個感恩的日子。我們永生難忘那些感人至深的歷史時刻：奧匈兩國邊界的「鐵幕」被剪斷；成千上萬個在德國駐布拉格大使館花園裡盼望出境的人歡呼雀躍；一九八九年十一月九日，終於出現了此前幾乎無人還敢再想的一幕：柏林牆倒了。

今天，我們有資格欣慰而自豪地回顧二十年來我們共同獲得的諸多成果。在「二加四條約」的基礎上，德國在歐洲內部、與歐洲國家一同找到了自己在二十一世紀國際社會中的位置。

不僅德國統一了，歐洲也實現了一體化，這是全體歐洲人的幸事。歐洲首先是一個文化和價值共同體。作為一個和平聯盟，歐洲聯盟的宗旨是讓每名成員均享有和平、自由、人權和民主。我們共同的價值觀是歐洲的立身之本。身處不斷變化的世界，聯合起來的我們有力量以自由、多樣而富裕的歐洲生活模式作出榜樣。德國的未來就是一個團結一致、富有行動力和責任感的歐洲。

今年九月十八日是德意志聯邦共和國 - 還有德意志民主共和國 - 加入聯合國四十周年。在這個全球化的世界裡，聯合國比以往任何時候都更為不可或缺。聯合國有多強大，取決於成員國對它的重視程度。德國全力支援聯合國發揮國際社會代表的作用，並盡力推動各項國際規則的執行。

德意志聯邦共和國基本法序言中就要求我們「在一個統一的歐洲致力於世界和平」。這是一份和德國統一這份禮物始終緊密相連的使命，讓我們為了這一目標共同努力。

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Message from Dr Guido Westerwelle, Member of the German Bundestag and Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs, on the occasion of the Day of German Unity 2013

For us, the Day of German Unity is one which fills us with deep gratitude. We all remember and are very much moved by the historic episodes that unfolded such as the shredding of the Iron Curtain at the border between Austria and Hungary, the fervour of thousands waiting in the garden of our Embassy in Prague to be allowed to leave and finally the fall of the Wall on 9 November 1989, something which had been beyond almost everyone’s wildest dreams.

Today we can look back with joy and pride at what we have achieved together over the last two decades. With the help of the Two plus Four Treaty, Germany has found its place in the international community of the 21st century both in and with Europe.

Not just in Germany, but also in Europe we have united for the better. Above all else, Europe is a community of shared culture and values. The European Union as a peace union promises all its members peace, freedom, human rights and democracy. Our shared values are the foundation on which this Europe stands. Thanks to our European way of life rooted in freedom, diversity and prosperity, we together have the strength to convince others in this our world of change. Germany’s future lies in a united and capable Europe which shoulders its responsibilities.

On 18 September, we celebrated the 40th anniversary of the Federal Republic of Germany and the German Democratic Republic joining the United Nations. In the globalised world, the United Nations is more essential than ever. It is as strong as its member states make it. Germany is doing everything it can to strengthen the United Nations’ claim to universality and help establish globally binding rules.

Even the preamble of the Basic Law of the Federal Republic of Germany charges us “to promote world peace in a united Europe”. Working together on this task is the mission inextricably linked to the gift of unity.