(The Protocol Division to insert salutations towards the High Officials in attendance)
Staff Members of the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany and Members of the German community resident in Trinidad and Tobago;
Other Distinguished Guests;
Members of the Media;
Ladies and Gentlemen;
Good Evening,
It is indeed a distinct honour to join you at this evening’s reception as we commemorate the thirty-sixth (36th) anniversary of German reunification. This historic milestone which occurred on October 3rd, 1990 ushered in a new era – that of, one German State.
I make this statement on behalf of the Honourable Sean Sobers M.P., Minister of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs who sends his warmest regards as regrettably, he is unable to attend this evening’s reception.
As a former student of International Relations, I am well acquainted with the momentous events that culminated in reunification, particularly the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 and the subsequent signing of the Unification Treaty.
These developments represented far more than the dismantling of the ‘Iron Curtain.’ The reunification of the German Democratic Republic (East Germany) and the Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany) remains a powerful testament to the resilience of the human spirit and peaceful revolution. Indeed, the Day of German Unity continues to serve, as some scholars exposit, an enduring symbol of hope and freedom.
Ladies and gentlemen, permit me at the outset to congratulate the newly minted His Excellency, Peter Neven, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany who presented his Letters of Credence to Her Excellency Christine Carla Kangaloo, O.R.T.T, President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces on October 13th, 2026.
I extend a warm welcome to you as you undertake your diplomatic assignment in our twin-island. We recognise and commend your years of dedicated service to your country and look forward to working closely with you towards deepening the bonds of friendship and expanding the avenues for mutually beneficial cooperation.
I also encourage you to embrace the richness and diversity of Trinidad and Tobago during your tenure. Our nation is distinguished by its vibrant multicultural heritage, religious diversity and the harmonious interplay of traditions that have shaped our unique national identity. Your Excellency, I therefore invite you to partake in our cuisine, music, natural landscapes and world-renowned festivities. I trust that your time here will be professionally rewarding and personally enriching.
Distinguished guests, for more than six (6) decades, Trinidad and Tobago and Germany have forged strong diplomatic relations predicated upon the values
of mutual respect, good governance, democracy and a shared commitment to international cooperation.
Building upon this foundation, our economic ties remain an important component of this partnership. The CARIFORUM–EU Economic Partnership Agreement has provided a framework for strengthening commercial engagement between our regions, creating opportunities for trade and investment. In 2025, Germany ranked as Trinidad and Tobago’s fifth-largest source of imports, supplying goods that support key sectors of our economy, including the automotive and manufacturing industries.
Equally important are the people-to-people connections facilitated by the visa-waiver arrangement between Trinidad and Tobago and Germany. These exchanges promote cultural understanding and tourism, reinforcing those strong bilateral relations are built not only through formal agreements but also through meaningful connections between our peoples.
I also wish to acknowledge the recent visit of Mr. Thomas Schieb, Chief Inspector of the German Federal Foreign Office, to the Ministry of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs on October 12th, 2026. His visit sought to confirm the role of the Embassy and the Ministry’s efforts to ensure that our relationship is on a sound footing. In this regard, I take this opportunity to reiterate our appreciation for the Embassy’s continued commitment and for the professionalism of its staff in advancing the shared interests of our countries.
Your Excellency, climate change and the transition to sustainable energy remain pressing priorities for Trinidad and Tobago and the wider Caribbean. As a Small Island Developing State, we are particularly conscious of the need to strengthen our resilience to climate-related challenges while pursuing a development pathway that is economically viable, environmentally responsible and socially inclusive.
In this regard, we deeply value Germany’s technical and financial assistance in support of our climate mitigation and adaptation objectives. The Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Technical Assistance (REETA) Project has contributed to strengthening our national capacity and advancing the development of a more sustainable energy sector. Germany’s commitment to this area of cooperation also extends to the wider Caribbean. We therefore welcome the First CARICOM–Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development of Germany Strategic Dialogue on Development Cooperation, convened on July 15th, 2026, which considered the implementation of six sustainable energy projects valued at more than 30 million euros.
Our cooperation in education and human resource development is another notable achievement. In 2013, The University of the West Indies collaborated with the University of Flensburg in Germany and the Flensburg University of Applied Sciences to establish the Master of Science programme in Renewable Energy Technology. The continued operation of this programme significantly aids in developing specialised expertise and equipping our citizens to contribute to emerging sectors of the economy. We also appreciate the opportunities afforded to our diplomats to participate in leadership seminars and professional development initiatives in Germany, including the Executive Seminar – Focus Germany programme.
The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and the Federal Republic of Germany also share an appreciation for the importance of multilateralism and the role of international institutions in addressing the complex challenges of our time. As Trinidad and Tobago prepares to assume its seat on the United Nations Security Council, we are grateful for partners such as Germany, who have sat as non-permanent members of the UNSC.
Distinguished guests, as we join our German friends in celebrating this Day of German Unity, may the spirit of harmony that this anniversary represents inspire us to deepen our partnership, broaden our horizons and work collectively towards a more sustainable future.
I thank you.
