RIYADH: The German Embassy in Riyadh celebrated the country’s Unity Day on Wednesday with much fanfare, with officials praising Saudi Arabia for its worldwide peace and reconciliation efforts.
Among those present were German Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Dieter Lamlé and German Ambassador to Yemen Hubert Josef Jäger.
Lamlé said Oct. 3, 1990, was one of the happiest days in the nation’s history.
“I believe that there are two lessons that can be learned from the German unification for the future. First, never stop believing in the impossible in these times of global turmoil, and economic and personal hardship; the optimistic outlook is important, more than ever.”
He said Germany had the support of its allies during its unification. “Let me mention in particular President George Bush, and Mikhail Gorbachev, who died a few weeks ago. Their efforts and support to overcome the division of Germany stand as a testimony to what diplomacy, mutual trust, and international collaboration can achieve.”
“I seize this opportunity to thank the UN special envoy for Yemen and the government of Saudi Arabia for their tireless and serious effort to find a solution to the Yemen conflict,” he added.
Among those who attended was Quentin Dominique Blommaert, head of the Hydrogen Diplomacy Office in Riyadh. “His office only started at the beginning of this year, and through his office, we connect German and Saudi professionals to enhance bilateral dialogue on geopolitical aspects,” said the Lamlé.
Germany’s government is seeking to collaborate with Saudi Arabia to produce hydrogen, and has chosen Riyadh, among five cities in the world, to establish its hydrogen diplomacy offices.
On behalf of Prince Faisal bin Bandar, governor of Riyadh, Prince Faisal bin Abdulaziz bin Ayyaf, mayor of the region, attended the ceremony.
Lamlé lauded Saudi Arabia for the economic transformation taking place in the country.
“I am not (the) only … witness of the tremendous and very fast changes that Saudi Arabia is experiencing but my wife (too). And we were so lucky to receive your overwhelming hospitality in the last 14 months, that we hardly find anywhere (else) in the world. Thank you for your support, your trust, your experience, and your amicability, your support makes us feel at home in Saudi Arabia,” said the envoy.
Lamlé said he was looking forward to improving relations between the two countries. He said the visit of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Sept. 24, opened a new chapter in German-Saudi relations.
