Nuncio,Ambassadors andrepresentatives of international organizations,
welcome to Schloss Bellevue.
This traditional New Year Reception gives us an opportunity to talk about the common interests and joint responsibility which link us in our one world.The world and therefore also global politics are facing fundamental challenges:
Will we succeed in combating terrorism without provoking a confrontation between different cultures and religions?
Will we seize our chance to create a world order based on cooperation and multilateralism?
Can we shape globalization in such a way that everyone can share in the world's growing prosperity while, at the same time, ensuring that our planet's ecosystem remains intact?
In order to find the right way to resolve these issues, we need a common understanding of these challenges, as well as political will and leadership.
The United Nations remains for me the most important key to ensuring that humanity has a bright future. And the Millennium Development Goals, to which the entire international community has committed itself, have set the right targets: halving poverty and hunger by 2015, sustainable development, education, equal rights, health care, development partnership.
In December, looking back on his time as UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan spoke of the five lessons he had learned:
- We are all responsible for each other's security.
- Our welfare and prosperity are inextricably linked to that of others.
- Human rights and the rule of law must be respected, for they are the prerequisites for development and peace.
- National governments must be accountable for their actions to multilateral institutions.
- These multilateral institutions have to work in a fair and democratic manner.
I know of no better guiding principles for enabling our children to have a prosperous future. Kofi Annan did not always find it easy to deal with us, for of course the United Nations is not the Secretariat but us, the member states. The United Nations can only be as good and effective as the member states want it to be. Ban Ki-moon, the new Secretary-General, has announced that he will push ahead with Kofi Annan's course. We should all resolve to support him in his work, not just with words but, above all, with actions.
Naturally, national interests will continue to exist. However, in the 21st century national interests are only productive and conducive to peace if they are also regarded and understood as part of the common interests of the entire international community. There is no better example of this than the challenges posed by climate change - a sphere in which it is almost too late to put things right.
This year, Germany has the privilege of holding two presidencies, namely those of the European Union and of the G8. I have no doubt that the German Government under Chancellor Merkel will do everything it can to do a good job.
The motto of the German G8 Presidency is "Growth and Responsibility". We put our trust in freedom and we are aware that social equality and environmental protection are crucial elements in a good overall policy. And the current situation is favourable: the global economy is robust and Europe's economy is gaining new momentum. This is an important contribution towards addressing imbalances in the global economy. And, of course, I am delighted that there is no more talk of the "sick man" of Europe. The Germans are rising to the new challenges and have launched reforms. This is now paying off, also for our European neighbours. We are also benefiting from the expansion of world trade. I believe that politicians in Germany have good reason to continue the reform course they have embarked upon and to continue pressing for an open multilateral trading system.
I am pleased that a debate is now underway in Germany on granting employees a greater share in companies' profits and capital. I see this as a possible way of countering the increasing income disparities, a phenomenon which can be observed throughout the world.
What applies to individual economies is also of relevance to the global economy: there can only be peace in our interconnected world if all peoples share in development and prosperity. And, of course, this also applies to the African continent which is of growing importance to the development of the global economy.
The World Economic Summit in Gleneagles rightly put Africa on the world agenda, and I am pleased that Germany is continuing to focus on it. Much patience is needed here and Germany's development policy is based on this strategy. Despite all the setbacks, we in the North should not forget that many African states have opted to work towards good governance, democracy and the rule of law. And the African Union is clearly modelled on the European Union. Europeans in particular should appreciate that. There are positive forces in Africa and they deserve our trust. Indeed, we should pay more attention to what African reformers themselves consider to be the right course of action - and then look for ways to provide them with strong support. This applies not least to the African Union which is assuming ever greater responsibility for Africa.
However, it is equally important that donor countries ask themselves what they have to change in order to relegate poverty and failed states in Africa to the history books. This list is no shorter. And many of these goals are "golden oldies": the 0.7% target for ODA, transparency and fairness in supply contracts for oil and raw materials, the fight against corruption in their own countries. A development-friendly world trading system is of strategic importance to global cohesion and the fight against poverty. We all know that the Doha Round is intended to achieve just that. The pundits are predicting failure. I hope that political leaders, especially in Europe and the US, will act responsibly and show courage. The negotiations should be recommenced as soon as possible.
My initiative Partnership with Africa is intended to help kick off a debate on development partnership and to create awareness of it. Following the first conference in Bonn, I, together with President Kufuor, have invited African Heads of State and representatives of civil society to a second meeting to be held in Accra/Ghana at the end of this week. I am delighted that the German Government will be represented by Minister Heidemarie Wiezcorek-Zeul and Minister of State Gernot Erler. First and foremost, the meeting in Accra will provide a forum for a direct dialogue between young people from Germany and Africa. During the last few months, 50 young leaders from Germany and 19 African states have debated partnership, the environment, violence, education and democratic participation on an equal footing and subsequently developed ideas on these issues. I am looking forward to seeing what these young people have to say to us and how we can respond.
One key player from whom much is expected worldwide is a strong and effective European Union. The whole world knows that. Indeed, everyone here, no matter which country you come from, will agree with me. However, I am sometimes not sure whether we Europeans ourselves have always fully realized this.
A look at the history books alone will no longer suffice to strengthen the European project. Young Europeans in particular have long since taken for granted living together in peace and open borders. Our own interest in a large single market as the answer to globalization - no matter how right and important that is - is not enough either.
We Europeans must regard our responsibility in the world and our own vested interest in a fair and thus stable world order as both a mandate and an incentive. We know that Europe can only fully develop its influence worldwide if it speaks with one voice. That is why the work on the European project must continue.
However, we will only succeed if the citizens of Europe better understand and once again identify more strongly with this project. I very much welcome the particularly intensive dialogue on Europe with citizens in Germany initiated by the German Government. I myself will join President Napolitano in discussing Europe with students at the universities of Tübingen and Siena.
I am very confident that it is possible to convince citizens of Europe's worth. There are many good arguments in its favour.
I believe it is right that the German Government is continuing to pursue the European Constitution project - for it will make Europe more transparent, more democratic and more effective. That is a good argument.
However, the citizens of Europe want to see the concrete benefits which Europe will bring them. For example, will Europe create more security both internally and externally? Will we succeed in creating jobs for people?
We will only find answers to these and other questions if we have the strength to carry out structural reforms at European level and, above all, in the member states.The economic upswing we are experiencing at present must not lead to self-satisfaction and lethargy. Commission President Barroso has rightly pointed this out.
I am pleased with the positive expectations of Germany's two Presidencies this year.Anyone hoping for miracles only has themself to blame.
Presidencies do not exist in a vacuum. Every Presidency depends on others playing their part and being prepared to review their own position if necessary. And every Presidency inherits something from the previous ones and then hands it on to its successors.As I said, however, we will make every effort and do our best.But one thing is clear: we can only succeed if we - the entire international community - work together.
As representatives of your countries in Germany, you have an important role to play as intermediaries. I would like to thank you all for our good cooperation during the last year.The new year will most likely be one filled with hard work for you, too, due to the German Presidencies.I am convinced that you will help us make this year a success. I very much hope that you, your staff and your families enjoy their stay here despite the often gruelling workload.
And I wish you all a happy, successful and, above all, peaceful New Year!