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(As prepared)
Chancellor Merz,
Minister Pistorius,
Minister Wadephul,
Dear Friedrich, Boris, and Johann,
Dear Soldiers,
Excellencies,
What an honour it is to join you here in Berlin to mark a truly meaningful day.
It is one I am reminded of more often than you might think.
The Federal Republic of Germany signed the protocol of accession to NATO in Paris
In my office at NATO headquarters hangs a large black and white photograph – right above my desk.
It captures the moment the Federal Republic of Germany signed the protocol of accession to NATO.
That was in October 1954.
This led the way to Germany’s formal accession to NATO a few months later.
On 9 May 1955.
The historic event we celebrate today.
In the photograph, you can see 14 Allied Foreign Ministers sitting at a table at the former NATO Headquarters in Paris – the Eiffel Tower clearly in view.
The French Foreign Minister, Pierre Mendès-France, is the one signing the protocol.
That’s symbolic.
And significant.
Just imagine that for a moment:
He was a former member of the ‘Résistance’.
Signing a document that set the course for Germany, France and other Allies’ shared defence...
Barely ten years after the end of the Second World War.
It was history in the making.
The start of a success story that continues today.
Success should be celebrated – as we did in late April, when I had the honour to welcome President Steinmeier to NATO Headquarters –
And also you, Boris.
As well as the Bundeswehr Concert Band.
We celebrated 70 years of Germany in NATO – at NATO.
And today, I’m so honoured to join you here in Berlin –
For this special ceremony.
So as we’re here to mark the occasion, let me briefly take you back to the day Germany formally joined NATO – on 9 May 1955.
Konrad Adenauer delivered an emotional statement that day.
Affirming the Federal Government’s determination “to strive together with the other Member states, for peace and freedom,” he thanked Allies for supporting Germany’s integration “into the community of free nations” and vowed that within this community – within NATO –“Germany will be an able and reliable partner.”
The Chancellor made good on his promise, as have his successors over the last seven decades.
From the day you became a NATO member, Germany has played a major role in in our Alliance.
During the Cold War, you hosted massive military deployments from Allied forces on your soil – in the Federal Republic.
This was crucial to deter the Soviet Union.
After the Cold War, a reunited Germany made the case for building bridges, developing partnerships,
and giving the new democracies in Central and Eastern Europe a home in NATO.
Germany has been indispensable for NATO’s success in military operations beyond our borders.
Germany sent planes, and then deployed forces, to help end the bloodshed in the Balkans.
And the Bundeswehr in Afghanistan helped ensure the country would not be a safe-haven for international terrorism.
In their service to our shared security, German soldiers have paid the ultimate price.
When Allies ask for support,
Germany is right there by their side.
You lead NATO’s forward land forces in Lithuania.
Your jets conduct air patrols over Baltic skies.
And you provide maritime support for key supply routes and critical infrastructure in the Baltic Sea.
And when Ukraine needs our support,
Germany answers the call.
You are the largest European contributor of military aid to Ukraine.
Helping the Ukrainian people defend their freedom and their sovereignty.
You host the NATO command in Wiesbaden, that coordinates the provision of military equipment and training to Ukraine.
And provide critical air defence for a logistical hub in Poland that helps ensure that the support Ukraine needs gets where it needs to go.
As the world becomes more dangerous, and our security is at stake –
Germany continues to step up.
You are spending more and more on defence.
And your defence industry is accelerating production.
That’s exactly what we need.
At NATO Summit in The Hague two weeks ago, Allied leaders agreed to invest 5% of GDP in defence - 3.5% for core defence requirements.
Including the air and missile defence systems, the tanks, the planes, the drones, the ammunition and more –
that we need to protect our one billion people.
Chancellor Merz,
In The Hague, you announced that Germany wants to reach the 3.5% –
Not in 2035, but already in 2029.
By 2029, you plan to invest 150 billion in defence.
That’s more than doubling the amount in just a few years.
This is remarkable. This is leadership.
Germany is a driving force in our Alliance.
Your leadership and decisive actions are what we need to build a stronger, fairer and more lethal NATO.
And it’s what we need to preserve freedom and security –
Now and in the future.
The world has changed profoundly since May 1955.
But Konrad Adenauer’s words from that day still hold true.
Able and reliable.
Thank you, Germany, for everything you do for our Alliance.
