On the picture Saarland’s Premier Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, German Chancellor Dr. Merkel, Luxembourg’s PM Bettel and former French PM Ayrault – Picture by saarland.de.
By Luca Bücken and Baron Henri Estramant.
Stately Germany has had much to celebration lately; most prominently the 25th anniversary of German reunification after the fall of the Berlin Wall, but likewise the reunification of the Saarland to Germany after the two defeats of Germany during the global conflicts.
In Brussels, the Permanent Representation of the Federal Republic of Germany to the EU headed by Ambassador Reinhard Silberberg called upon the inhabitants of Brussels to celebrate the XXV anniversary of German Reunification on Thursday, 1 October 2015, with a spectacular sound, light and video show given at the Arcade du Cinquantenaire in the park with the same name.
The same evening Ambassador Silberberg likewise hosted a diplomatic reception for EU officials, representatives of the Bundesländer to the EU as well as other permanent representatives.
The day after on 2 October 2015 his bilateral colleague, HE Ambassador Rüdiger Lüdeking, hosted a reception at the representation of the Bundesland Saxe-Anhalt but with focus on Bremen this year. On the same day the German head of mission to Luxemburg, HE Ambassador Christine Gläser also threw a prominent reception held at the Cercle Cité at Luxembourg City. Amongst the most prominent attendees was HE M Pierre Bley, until recently Marshall of the Grand Ducal Court.
Later on 23 October 2015, the German Bundesland of Saarland celebrated the 60th anniversary of the Saarland vote. In the Saar referendum of 23 October 1955, Saarlanders rejected the proposed europeanisation of the state by means of the ‘Saar Statute’. Following the rejection of the statute, Franco-German negotiations resulted in the political affiliation of the Saarland to the Federal Republic of Germany on 1 January 1957. In 1959 the economic inclusion of the Saarland followed. Prior to the vote the Saarland had been under French administration, limited political autonomy and the inclusion in an economic union with France.
Next to the 60th anniversary of the Saarland vote, the Bundesland commemorated another key moment of its history. On 13 January 1935, 80 years ago, the people of Saarland voted by a majority to reunite with the German Reich after it had been administered by France following Imperial Germany’s defeat in the Great War.
During the ceremonial act at the state theatre German Chancellor Angela Merkel discussed in her speech the extraordinary symbolism of Saarland for Europe, and referred to the Bundesland as European role model. The festivities were furthermore attended by Luxembourgian Prime Minister Xavier Bettel, former French Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault or top German athlete and badminton star Marc Zwiebler who is based in Saarbrücken, capital of the Saarland.
The current Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to The Netherlands, HE Herr Franz Josef Kemp, was born in the Saarland.
The State of Saarland maintains a representation in Brussels vis-à-vis the EU, headed by Commissioner for European Affairs Mrs Helma Kuhn-Theis, to promote its regional interests in the different decision making process of the European Union. Its local director is Mr Stefan Feiler.
For more information:
Permanent Representation of Germany to the EU and the Political and Security Committee (HE Ambassador Reinhard SILBERGERG): www.bruessel-eu.diplo.de/Vertretung/bruessel__eu/de/02-St_C3_A4V/02-01-Botschafter__Stv/St_C3_A4ndigerVertreter.html
www.facebook.com/germanyintheeu/videos/
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jc_uqOXGGoA
Embassy of Germany to Belgium: www.bruessel.diplo.de
Embassy of Germany to Luxembourg: www.luxemburg.diplo.de/
Bundesland Saarland: www.saarland.de/SID-FB978325-A60444A4/damals-heute.htm
Representation of the Saarland to the EU (Director Stefan Feiler): www.saarland.de/1896.htm
