JEDDAH — Many Saudi officials and members of the Saudi and diplomatic community gathered on Tuesday at the Consulate General of Germany in Jeddah to commemorate the German National Day of Unity, an important moment in the history of a country that was finally reunified after decades of division imposed by foreign powers following World War II. Celebrated every Oct. 3, the National Day of Germany — “Tag der Deutschen Einheit” — marks the anniversary of this reunification that took place in 1990. That year, the aspiration to unify the country was finally fulfilled with the fusion between the Federal Republic of Germany and the Democratic Republic of Germany. After the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 the checkpoints between the two countries were opened and people were allowed to travel freely until the country's unification became official on Oct. 3, 1990. Invited as chief guest at Tuesday's celebrations in Jeddah, Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Makkah Region Mohammed Ahmed Al-Tayeb expressed his admiration for the culture and spirit that characterize the German people. He said: “I would like to extend my warmest greetings to the people of Germany on an auspicious occasion and important recurrence for the German nation that reminds us of these people's incredible determination and capacity to achieve their goals. “I pretty much admire this attitude and consider them as an inspiring example.” Consul General of Germany Rolf Theodor Shuster described to the guests the flourishing political, economic and cultural relations between Saudi Arabia and Germany and expressed his gratitude to Saudi authorities for their continuous support. He added: “I would like to convey the best wishes of the German people to the people of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, especially to its farsighted leadership under the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah and Crown Prince Salman. “My thanks go to the Saudi authorities and especially to Ambassador Mohammed Al-Tayeb, whose support was fundamental for a further and substantial improvement of Saudi-German relations in Jeddah.” Shuster also highlighted the German mission's latest achievements that have helped advance cooperation between the two countries. He added: “For the past eight years, the German Consulate General was not fully functional as a consulate. “Through hard work and strong resolve during the last year, we have been able to establish again a visa section. “Moreover, I was able to sign a lease contract for a future chancery that will allow us to operate again a fully functional consulate in the foreseeable future.” Shuster concluded his speech by announcing that the German school in Jeddah is due to open classes that will help students achieve a university entrance level of education.
