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The President of the Republic conferring on the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany, H.E. Mr. Gerhard Enver Schrömbgens, the I Class Order of the Cross of Terra Mariana on June 28, 2002, at Kadriorg28.06.2002
Honourable Ambassador, Mr Gerhard Enver Schrömbgens,
Estonia and Germany are closely connected with each other through their history, culture, economy and politics, yet, first of all, through people and their fates. In Europe, we are two rather different peoples, but on the global scale we look quite similar due to our coinciding value judgements and goals.
During your time in office as Ambassador to Estonia, Estonia and Germany have taken stand next to each other, as nations developing co-operation and setting aims in the name of both nearer and farther future of Europe. I do hope that only few more steps separate Estonia from the membership of the European Union and NATO. We have made the way so far with the support of Germany and our other partner-states. You, as a participant in this process yourself, have definitely gained one more valuable experience and can look back at this time with satisfaction.
The Estonian-German bilateral relations have made great strides. The political, economic and cultural contacts between Estonia and Germany are rich in content, and that's the way it should be between two serious partners.
You, Mr Ambassador, have made a remarkable contribution to enlivening the Estonian-German economic co-operation. Several German banks have opened their subsidiaries in Estonia. Germany has made its way to the top-three amidst the trade partners of Estonia. We have paved the way for closer co-operation in making mutual investments.
Promoting active cultural exchange between Estonia and Germany, and continual contacts between artists of our two peoples has been one of your favourite fields of activity. It has even gone so far that a newspaper about cultural events in Estonia has been published edited by the Ambassador.
It is only natural that the beautiful Estonian spoken by you warms an Estonian heart.
Your work as the Ambassador of Germany to Estonia, from August 1999 up to this day, has been very productive. I hope with all my heart that you enjoyed the years spent here and that they, while complying with your goals, offered you gratification. I do wish you every success also in your next office.
Honourable Mr Ambassador,
In recognition of your services, I confer on you the I Class Order of the Cross of Terra Mariana.
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