Technical Museum, Berlin, Germany 13 Sep . 2005

Remarks by the German Defence Minister, Peter Struck at the Reception to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Germany’s membership to NATO PETER STRUCK (German Minister of Defence): ...who work hard, and that includes all the delegation members, not only the Ministers, who help them, also deserve to enjoy themselves a bit. And there is the reason for us to do so. This year we celebrate the anniversary of the Bundeswehr of Germany's accession to the NATO. For over four decades the Bundeswehr was a reliable ally on the borderline between the East and West. It contributed the bulk of the NATO forces in Europe. For more than 15 years it has participated increasingly with the forces of Germany's allies and partners in international operations. It has become one of the largest contributors of troops for international peace missions. Germany owes a great deal to the Alliance and its democratic partners in Europe and beyond. Only through NATO was it possible for the Federal Republic to take its place again among the community of free nations. Only through NATO was Germany able to achieve unification and freedom. Only through NATO does Germany lie at the centre of a European region of civility. We want the Transatlantic Alliance to remain strong in the future. It is therefore good that we have already had intensive discussions about the Alliance of the future today and we'll be resuming them tomorrow. Ladies and gentlemen, in Berlin there are dozens of suitable places to hold a reception, even more to enjoying yourself, but only few convey the feeling of progress and of the achievements of mankind in such a powerful way as the German Museum of Technology. In my view it is not a bad source of inspiration for our conference. I'm sure you have all noticed the so-called Rosinenbomber or "candy bomber" dating back to the days of the Berlin Airlift on the museum's roof. It's impossible to miss. For me there is hardly a better symbol of solidarity between our democracies. It constantly reassured me that we will succeed in using(?) the potential of NATO as a force for peace and security in the decades to come as well. Ladies and gentlemen, Max Weber, the German socialist, wrote in 1919 that: Politics is a strong and slow boring of hard boards. It takes both passion and perspective. Many of you will be able to agree with this view or claim. To ensure that we succeed in this regard again tomorrow I want you all to enjoy yourself this evening. Enjoy the delicious food. Listen to the music of the big band of the Bundeswehr and its outstanding soldiers. And take the opportunity to view the exhibits, both here in the building and outside. I wish you all a pleasant time and interesting conversation over the next few hours. Thank you very much.