Germany, 2011

Seldom has

people’s yearning for freedom, dignity and self-

determination played such a dominant role as it has this

year. Until now, we have experienced globalization

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first and foremost through the ever-greater integration

of the world economy. Today, we see that globalization

means so much more; that it has also brought about a

globalization of values. Those are the values enshrined

in the United Nations Charter, the inalienable rights

contained in the Universal Declaration of Human

Rights.

In North Africa and in the Arab world, millions of

people have shaken off the shackles of decades of

oppression. They want freedom, democracy and human

rights, as well as better lives for themselves and their

families. That road is anything but easy. A new

political system must mature in order to become stable.

That takes time and patience. However, even the

longest road begins with the very first step. This is a

year of momentous steps.

We have not forgotten the moving images of

people who won dignity and self-respect by their own

efforts, the proud faces on Bourguiba Boulevard in

Tunis and in Tahrir Square in Cairo. Those people want

to shape their own future, and their yearning is by no

means limited to the Arab world. In Belarus, too,

people long for an end to repression and tyranny and

for the opportunity to fully develop their individual

personalities.

With the fall of the Berlin Wall and reunification

more than 20 years ago, Germany experienced for

itself the joy of a peaceful revolution. Today we have a

fundamental interest in the success of the political

awakening in the southern Mediterranean region. We

Germans offer our support for the reforms in Morocco

and Jordan, the political awakening in Egypt and

Tunisia, and the fresh start in Libya following the

overthrow of the dictator.

Every country and every society will find its own

way into the modern world, either through revolution

or through reform. We want to provide advice and

support. We want to help create an independent

judiciary, a pluralistic media landscape, and a vibrant

civil society. We want to help people come to terms

with their past and we want to support the

constitutional process. Above all, however, we want to

assist in the crucial process of building a new social

and economic order, for we all know that the success of

social change largely hinges on economic success.

People who take to the streets for freedom and self-

determination must see first-hand that they, too, can

succeed with the help of their ideas, their creativity and

their commitment.

Germany is therefore working not only for close

partnerships but for increased market access. We want

to foster change through increased trade. We are

offering investments, especially in the small and

medium-sized enterprises that form the backbone of an

open and successful society. Most important of all,

however, will be to offer young people education and

training so that they can make the most of their

opportunities. That is of key importance to successful

transitions and fresh starts in those countries.

The courageous men and women of Syria deserve

a clear sign of our solidarity. The Syrian Government

has responded to the legitimate demands of the Syrian

people with brutal force. Germany will continue to

press for a Security Council resolution. This is not only

about showing solidarity with the Syrian people; it is

also about the credibility of the international

community. If the repression continues, we Europeans

will further tighten sanctions against the regime. The

Syrian people should be free to shape their own future.

This week has been dominated by the unresolved

conflict in the Middle East. On Friday here in New

York, President Abbas expressed the Palestinians’

expectations and understandable frustration with the

lack of progress made (see ). On the same

day, Prime Minister Netanyahu reaffirmed Israel’s

justified desire to exist in peace within secure borders

(see ). Both sides have legitimate interests.

However, these interests are certainly not

irreconcilable. They can be overcome if the parties

involved are willing to do so.

Germany is backing a two-State solution. We

support a Palestinian State that will allow the

Palestinians to live in dignity and self-determination

and that is independent, sovereign, contiguous and

democratic, as well as politically and economically

viable. Over the past few years, we have been heavily

involved in the practical development of this statehood

by helping to build an administration, infrastructure

and vocational training, as well as politically, in the

German-Palestinian Steering Committee. And we do

not want that State to be founded sometime in the

distant and indeterminate future.

Let there be no doubt, however, that the security

of Israel is and will continue to be part of the raison

d’être of the Federal Republic of Germany. Peace

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between Israelis and Palestinians is possible. A

Palestinian State is possible. Two States existing

peacefully side by side are possible. However, they can

be achieved only through negotiations. The statement

issued by the Middle East Quartet on Friday identified

the milestones along the way. Germany worked hard

for that Quartet statement and staunchly supports it.

The confrontation of words here in New York

must not be allowed to lead to an escalation in violence

in the Middle East. I therefore call on both sides,

Palestinians and Israelis, to enter into direct

negotiations without delay. On Friday, the two sides

reaffirmed their desire for a negotiated peace. The task

now is to channel the energy and pressure of recent

days into a constructive process. The two sides have

been called on to come forward within three months

with comprehensive proposals on territory and security,

and to refrain from all provocative actions. The

international community will continue to support the

difficult road to peace. This includes the Moscow

conference as part of the negotiating timetable for the

coming months.

I would like to express my appreciation to all

who have worked so hard in the past few days to create

this opportunity for a constructive solution. As a

European, I would like to extend my special thanks to

the European Union’s High Representative, Lady

Ashton. Let us make use of the impetus provided by

the intensive efforts here in New York for the benefit of

the people of Israel and the Palestinian territories.

The international community has worked

tirelessly for years to ensure that Afghanistan ceases to

harbour a threat to international peace and security.

Many, indeed too many people have already lost their

lives as a result of that threat. On 5 December in Bonn,

under Afghanistan’s chairmanship, we will discuss the

way forward. The Conference will focus on three major

issues. The first is the complete handover of

responsibility for security. This summer saw the start

of a process whereby the Afghans are to gradually

assume responsibility for security in their country by

2014. This is a responsible handover of responsibility.

Secondly, the international community will

remain engaged in Afghanistan after 2014. Afghanistan

will continue to need economic initiatives and more

regional cooperation to help strengthen its sovereignty.

The New Silk Road initiative, which we launched here

in New York last week, is intended to serve this aim.

Thirdly, Afghanistan’s internal reconciliation and

support from States in the region are critical to lasting

peace. The brutal murder of former President Rabbani

shows that the reconciliation process will continue to

suffer setbacks. Nevertheless, it must and will go on.

Germany will play its part on the road to Bonn.

While people are seizing the opportunity to build

a better future for themselves in freedom and self-

determination in a growing number of countries around

the world, millions in the Horn of Africa are struggling

to survive. The United Nations has played a valuable

role in providing swift humanitarian assistance.

Germany is doing everything in its power in this and

many other crises to alleviate the suffering.

The collapse of State authority and the impact of

climate change are aggravating the already disastrous

situation. Germany will continue to be in the vanguard

of the fight against climate change. As with

disarmament and nuclear non-proliferation, as well as

the protection of human rights, the fight against

climate change is an integral element of preventive

diplomacy. It is part of a farsighted peace policy.

By the end of this year, our planet will have more

than 7 billion inhabitants. In that world, Germany will

place its hopes in a strong United Nations as a forum

for political consensus-building, a source of rules with

international legitimacy, and a player in the crisis

regions of this world. The United Nations Charter and

the Universal Declaration of Human Rights offer more

people than ever before the direction and inspiration

they need to strive for a cooperative world order and a

fairer global community.

However, the United Nations has to adapt to our

changing world. Only then will the decisions made

here gain political force, effectiveness and acceptance.

New centres of power are emerging in global politics.

Their economic dynamism has prompted them to

demand political participation. The sixty-fifth session

of the General Assembly considered United Nations

reform, but no real progress has been achieved so far.

We welcome the fact that the new President intends to

again personally champion this reform. We will do

everything we can to him.

In September 38 years ago, two German States

were admitted to the United Nations. At that time, my

predecessor in office, Walter Scheel, stated before the

Assembly:

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“Where there is a question of international

cooperation, of preserving peace and of

protecting the rights of man, there the Federal

Republic of Germany will always be found. If

there is anything we have learned from our own

bitter experience it is this: man is the measure of

all things”.

Man is the measure of all things. Germany

remains committed to this principle.