Few events in recent European history – and beyond – had such a far-reaching impact as the fall of the Berlin Wall on 9 November 1989 – exactly 23 years ago. It marked the end of the post-World War II order as well as the end of the Cold War. The Berlin Wall had been a symbol of division and ideological antagonism for more than four decades. Its fall was ushered in by three main factors: Firstly, the policy of détente and constructive engagement best reflected in the Helsinki Accord of Cooperation and Security in Europe of 1975. Secondly, the quest for economic prosperity and well-being, an aspiration that communist rule and state-run economies in former Eastern Europe could not deliver to its people. Thirdly, the quest for freedom and democracy, especially the quest for freedom to live one's own life without the interference of the communist state. Twenty-three years after that memorable day much has changed in Germany and Europe. As a unified nation we overcame the deep economic and social gap between former East and West Germany. As the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has invested heavily in education, infrastructure and diversifying its economy to achieve a balanced development, unified Germany has done the same. Since 1990 the German government has spent more than 100 billion euros every year in the reconstruction of East Germany. The resources for this enormous task are collected by a so called “Solidarity Tax”, an additional 7.5 percent on our already considerably high income tax. Today we can happily state that this “Solidarity Tax” has yielded enormous results and has really paid off. Europe, too, has changed. The European Union of then 12 Member States has developed into a union of 27. Many more countries are knocking on the EU's door, especially from the Western Balkans. I find it sometimes unfortunate and unfair that this enormous achievement of European integration is overlooked and underestimated. Let us not forget: we have been able to integrate Eastern European countries formerly under communist rule through a peaceful transition process into a community of free nations governed by the principle of political and economic freedom and the pursuit of prosperity and well-being for their citizens. How blessed we all would be in the turmoiled Middle East if a similar process could be encouraged to take place here. Recently, the financial and structural problems within the Euro-zone (made up of 17 European Union Member States) have unfortunately led to an unbalanced and very fragmentary perception of the European integration process. Yes, Euro-zone members are currently struggling to deal with the shortcomings that have come to light in the process of introducing a common currency which indispensably requires much more coordinated macro-economic and macro-financial policies. Yes, the productivity in various Euro-zone economies has developed at a different pace. But the problems, although of great magnitude, are being addressed. Structural reforms in many countries, especially in Italy, Spain, Portugal, Ireland and Greece are being implemented. It is not fair that these sometimes very painful endeavors are not honestly acknowledged. The answer of the Euro-zone members is more and not less integration – especially with the view to the establishment of a full fledged Fiscal Union. We are encouraged by the constructive attitude and the great understanding our Saudi friends and partners have shown in this respect. Germany's, and Europe's, best asset is its capacity for continuous innovation and the strength we draw from our cultural and intellectual diversity. The 9th of November constitutes for us Germans at the same time a continuous reminder that the walls in our minds are the most difficult to overcome. Let us, therefore, work together to overcome old-fashioned stereotypes and fragmentary mutual perceptions. We will all benefit from this.
– Dieter W. Haller is the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
