From a German perspective, 2009 is a year of great importance. 60 years ago and only four years after the end of World War II and Hitler's terrible regime, a parliamentary council designed the so-called "Basic Law", the Constitution of West Germany. Through analysing the malfunctions of the Constitution of 1919 and the problems of the Weimar Republic, it was possible to develop a new foundation which proved to be the precondition for Germany to be re-admitted into the international community and for becoming a politically stable and economically prospering country.
Only 20 years ago, in 1989, under immense internal pressure, the East German government opened the border crossings to West Germany in what became known as the peaceful revolution. Eleven months later the GDR did not exist anymore. The "Basic Law" became the constitution of a reunified Germany.
The preamble of Germany's Constitution emphasises the "determination to promote world peace as an equal partner in a united Europe". Indeed, the Soviet Union agreed to the reunification and withdrawal of its troops from East Germany mainly due to the West German government's Ostpolitik which was established at the beginning of the 1970s. Moreover, this policy of détente instigated trust in Eastern Europe, while in the Western world, the peaceful development of West Germany was the root of confidence in Germany and decisive for the Western allies' decision to support Germany's reunification. And as Chancellor Angela Merkel put it: "We believe that... Germany has a duty, indeed a moral obligation, to work unfailingly to achieve freedom, peace and prosperity in the world".
A focus of Germany's foreign policy is to create a fair and lasting peace in the Middle East. Above the traditionally great interest of Germany in the Mediterranean, Germany has a particular responsibility in this affair and at the same time enjoys a special relationship with both Israel and Palestine. Only a few weeks ago, Foreign Minister Steinmeier and his American counterpart Secretary of State Hilary Clinton, confirmed the urgency of a fast and coordinated advancement. The partners in the region can only be reached and integrated in this process if Europe and the US speak with one voice.
However, the Mediterranean should not be reduced to the Middle East conflict. There are various other issues such as migration, energy security and supply, environmental protection, international trade, the fight against organised crime and terrorism. A close cooperation is needed between Europe and the Mediterranean states on an equal footing. Furthermore, Mediterranean affairs are also a question of intercultural dialogue with the Islamic world, an issue Germany supports with great efforts, particularly but not exclusively given the large Muslim community living in our country.
It is important that Europe can and does act in a unified way. Hopefully, the newly-elected European Parliament and the new EU Commission will work closely with the member states in this regard. A major step forward to achieve this would be the appointment of the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, who at the same time will be vice-president of the EU Commission and will chair the council of foreign ministers - a new position envisaged under the Lisbon Treaty.
Locally, in autumn this year, a "German Chair for Peace and Conflict Studies" will be established at the Mediterranean Academy of Diplomatic Studies. This is a practical step of Germany's commitment to increase its efforts in the Mediterranean and a milestone in German-Maltese cooperation. MEDAC, with its international students hailing mostly from the Mediterranean region, is an excellent entity for the exchange of ideas and views of young academics and future diplomats. It has in effect a good and effective network, various partnerships in the region and in Europe, a high educational standard and also an outstanding reputation. Malta's long tradition as a bridge between Europe and the Arab world makes it an excellent location for open and target-oriented discussions in order to find practical solutions for current and future challenges.
And practical cooperation and the stimulation of job creation in the southern rim countries of the Mediterranean are urgently needed. Germany supports the Union for the Mediterranean and within its framework together with France and other partners is working on the development of the Mediterranean Solar Plan.
Germany has also proposed a tsunami early warning system, an initiative which was supported by Malta among others.
Germany has always had a strong economic presence in countries around the Mediterranean and beyond. Close economic ties with North Africa and the Middle East and the creation of jobs there are not only very important but vital for stability in the region, as everywhere else. On the other hand, stability is a precondition for foreign investment. Therefore, balancing political and social stability with economic investment should be one of the major objectives. After World War II, Germany achieved this with support of the Western allies. Now the countries in North Africa and the Middle East need similar assistance and Germany, together with its European partners, is committed to play an important role in this. President Barack Obama's recent address in Cairo augurs well for a new and successful effort in this direction.
The author is the outgoing Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Malta.