Every year on the 3rd of October Germans commemorate and

Every year on the 3rd of October Germans commemorate and celebrate the peaceful reunification of their country in 1990, bringing democracy and the rule of law to all of them.

I have arrived as the Ambassador designate of Germany to Indonesia just in time to witness the second round of the presidential elections. At the end of a long election marathon this round of voting crowned what was an extraordinary democratic achievement, not only for Indonesia but for the concept of democracy as such.

Celebrating a national day abroad also means celebrating bilaterally. Germany and Indonesia have solid and traditionally close links. Let us strive to build upon those to further develop our political, economic and cultural relations to the benefit of our peoples but also our neighbors and friends.