Madam President,

President of the Parliament,

Prime Minister,

Members of the Sobranie,

Ministers,

Representatives of the religious communities,

Partners of Germany,

Fellow citizens,

Guests,

Welcome to the Day of German Unity! A heartfelt thank you to the wonderful women’s choir ‘Frida’ for this powerful kick-off.

We had wished for better weather to celebrate this special day with you. It was supposed to be a garden reception. When the weather stations predicted a cold snap and heavy rain a few days ago, I naturally remembered the wise saying: True friendship only becomes apparent when you defy storm and rain together.

Friendship and cohesion, both between societies and within, are more important than ever in today's world. We are witnessing a time of unprecedented instability and upheaval. We are witnessing how humanitarian catastrophes, wars and conflicts are moving a life in dignity into the far distance for many people. In Europe, war once again determines our political actions - unthinkable for most people for decades. Russia's attack on Ukraine shakes the foundations of the European peace order. The rules-based international order has cracks to which even the foundations of traditional democracies are no longer immune.

As Germans we are particularly aware of the shake-up of the global order. 80 years after the end of the horrors of the Second World War, we still remember the miracle of newly emerging trust. It was founded on the firm belief that, through the common defence of freedom, we can create an order that ensures humanity. It was precisely this confidence that paved the way for my country to return to the family of nations. It was this trust in the rules-based order that ultimately paved the way for German reunification with the 2+4 Treaty.

Out of this history arises a special responsibility for Germany to stand up for justice, peace, and respect. We are glad to have North Macedonia as a reliable partner by our side. Together, we assume responsibility within the framework of the United Nations, where Germany is once again seeking a seat as a non-permanent member of the Security Council. Together, we stand closely within the framework of NATO.

Germany and North Macedonia, side by side.

As Germans, we consider it our duty to stand up for a strong Europe, in particular right now, in times of turmoil. We also want to do this side by side with our partner North Macedonia.

If the rules-based international order is showing cracks, if power politics replaces law and if economic dependencies are used as a weapon, then the European promise of security, stability, and prosperity also threatens to become fragile.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Some of you may think: This does not yet concern us, since we are not a member of the European Union, but ‘only’ on the path towards becoming one.

This notion falls short. Because Europe does not end at today's borders of the EU. Economic turmoil, geopolitical tensions, security challenges – they do not stop at customs stations or border posts. Whether Member State or on the way of becoming one: We are all part of a shared European space shaken by the same forces.

Europe is a space of interconnectedness that can never be defined by a single centre alone. Our common European space thrives on the many nodes that, like stars, develop their radiance at different times and in different areas.

This intertwining of Europe has not just arisen in the present. Such hubs already existed in ancient times, connecting vast geographical areas via roads, administration, and trade. Just think of the major archaeological sites in this country, such as Scupi or Herakleia. These are places that also represent a shared European past. German and Macedonian archaeologists have set out to explore this shared past together. In doing so, they are adding another facet to our German-Macedonian and European cooperation.

The German Archaeological Institute (DAI) and the Leibniz Centre for Archaeology are excellent research institutions entering the stage of German-Macedonian relations!

Let us jump from antiquity back to the present day. Ancient hubs also have their equivalents in today's Europe: think of our digital networks. The Western Balkans Digital Summit, which took place here in Skopje over the past two days as part of the Berlin Process, set the right tone: we are working on a shared digital future that guarantees equal access and maximum benefit for all.

The concrete infrastructure of the digital networking of financial flows is called SEPA: the single European payment system. It connects the nodes within the European space into a larger whole, creating a modern space of permeability. In a few days, SEPA will be operational in North Macedonia. A new node, a new star under the SEPA sky!

Ladies and gentlemen,

In Germany, it is customary to have economists calculate in concrete figures what such a step means for the economy. We did this and asked German economic experts. Their answer: The immediate economic benefits resulting from the reduction of fees for cross-border payments with SEPA accession are already enormous. Businesses and individuals transferring funds between North Macedonia and other countries in the SEPA area will save around EUR 62 million each year.

Of course, it is not just about numbers. We are expanding our common European space of trust, security, and a sense of being part of a larger whole. A major step on the path to European integration, bringing Germany and North Macedonia even closer together.

Europe lives integration through infrastructure. The interdependence created by paths, markets, and cities during ancient times now manifests itself in digital networks and financial systems. European integration does not only come out of Brussels or Strasbourg, but from the consolidation of relations ‘on the ground’. This makes Europe so resilient. SEPA in payments, European fibre networks, digital education spaces – they are all modern equivalents of an ancient magistral. And just as Scupi and Herakleia once lay at such a magistral site, so too is our digital presence bearing witness to the fact that North Macedonia is part of our common European space.

The foundations of a strong Europe that embraces North Macedonia are unmistakable. It is up to all of us to want this strong, united Europe together. To those who are already members of the European Union, as well as to those who have started to make their way there.

The European promise of security, stability, and prosperity for all of us can only survive if we continue to invest in European solidarity and cohesion. Europe is more than a Union. Europe is a community of shared destiny, a community that we must shape and defend together.

Let us take joint responsibility for the Europe that belongs to us all. Let us take joint responsibility, North Macedonia and Germany, as Europeans, side by side.

Thank you very much.