De toespraak is alleen beschikbaar in het Engels.
Herr Bundespräsident,
Sehr verehrte Frau Büdenbender
Majestäten,
meine Damen und Herren!
Zunächst einmal möchte ich Sie, Herr Bundespräsident, ganz herzlich willkommen heißen.
Willkommen in den Niederlanden – willkommen in Den Haag!
Ihr Besuch unterstreicht die enge Verbundenheit unserer beiden Länder: als Nachbarn in Europa, als Partner und als alte Freunde.
Der niederländischen Regierung liegt diese Freundschaft sehr am Herzen.
Und das gilt vor allem auch für mich persönlich.
Schon allein deshalb, weil ich früher mal einen Steinwurf von der deutschen Grenze entfernt gewohnt habe – und natürlich war ich auch regelmäßig auf der anderen Seite dieser Grenze.
Daher auch mein Wunsch, diese Rede auf Deutsch zu beginnen.
Wenn Sie gestatten, fahre ich nun aber auf Englisch fort.
President Steinmeier, I believe it’s human nature to focus on the differences between people.
That’s certainly something we can see in these times of polarisation.
The ‘us-and-them-mentality’ that floods social media every day, now almost seems like a fact of life.
So it’s all the more important that moderate forces continue seeking and highlighting the things that people have in common.
Because working together on the basis of shared values and shared interests is the only thing that will move us forward.
And that’s one reason your visit to the Netherlands is so valuable.
Because, when the Germans and the Dutch get together we quickly realise that we’re more alike than we think – despite our cultural differences, which of course exist.
As one of our great post-war writers, Gerard Reve, once said: A Dutchman is a kind of German who thinks he’s not a German because he drinks milk.
Well, I suppose that’s one way of putting it!
We don’t have to look far to see countless examples of cooperation based on shared values and interests.
Our economies are closely interwoven.
Cultural exchange between Germany and the Netherlands is blossoming.
Military cooperation between our countries is now even closer, due to the war in Ukraine and the threat posed by Russia.
The latest illustration of that is the new NATO command centre that we will be jointly setting up in Estonia.
And of course, there are the millions of Germans and Dutch people who cross the border every year to enjoy a holiday with the neighbours.
Many of them with a Schlepphütte in tow.
That many people can’t be wrong.
Around 90 per cent of Dutch people consider Germany and its people to be among our closest international friends.
That figure says it all.
And I’m sure our friendship will even survive the upcoming World Cup!
Although I have to tell you that, this time, the Kingdom of the Netherlands will have not just one, but two aces up its sleeve.
This year, the German team will need to watch out for both the orange of Holland and the blue wave of Curaçao.
Don’t say I didn’t warn you!
President Steinmeier, I personally hope – and in the years ahead the Dutch government will work hard to ensure this – that, together, Germany and the Netherlands can be a driving force in fostering a stronger, more decisive Europe.
A Europe that can defend itself.
That invests in the economy of the future.
That keeps advancing in all key areas: technology, energy, raw materials.
Above all, a Europe that is more united and self-assured.
And that dares to step into the spotlight.
We are living in a time of dramatic geopolitical shifts, and Europe is facing a range of challenges.
But Europe is also a superpower.
At least, it can be if it decides to be.
As 2 of the 6 founders of the European Union, Germany and the Netherlands can take the lead on this.
So, Mr President, let’s raise our glasses to that.
To even closer cooperation.
To the friendship between the people of our countries.
And, of course, to a successful state visit.