As usual, the Federal President gives a New Year’s reception for the members of the Diplomatic Corps. Madagascar did not miss the appointment, through the representation of Mrs. Rafaramalala ép. Ratsimba Florence Isabelle, Chargé d’affaires a.i.
After the best wishes addressed to the Federal President and to Germany, the Apostolic Nuncio and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps made a point of reiterating his thanks and strong appreciation, on behalf of all, for the invitation for the unforgettable trip to the Rhineland-Palatinate on 18 September. He spoke about current issues, namely, peace, which has an impact on international migration, and climate change, on which he wished to stress the important role played by Germany. He also welcomed the “European Green Deal”, in the European framework of the fight against climate change, which aims to be a pioneer in achieving the common goal. Economic programmes contributing to tackling the root causes of migration problems should be stepped up to reduce migration flows.
The Federal President, for his part, deplores the situation of non-compliance with the current agreements and rules and has borrowed the appeal of the UN Secretary General: “Stop the escalation. Show maximum restraint. Resume dialogue. Renew international cooperation“. This year will mark the 75th anniversary of the failure of nationalism and violence, which should serve as lessons for the future, and calls for positive multilateral cooperation.
Both speakers called for the redefinition of international multilateral cooperation and the “pacta sunt servanda”, and, emphasizing the human aspect of interventions in migration affairs, to work hard to establish international rules based on law, in a spirit of understanding and common responsibility.
In this way, every stakeholder will do his or her part to make 2020 better than it appears.