Peace must be more than the absence of war.

You didn't just pay lip service to the goal of overcoming the division of Europe and Germany... Rather, you put yourself at the forefront of those who encouraged us on the way to unity.

George Bush was for me the most important ally on the road to German unity.

For me it is completely clear that our air bases in Germany would be available to the Americans.

The army is under orders to defend every place.

We were united not only by political respect for each other, but also by deep mutual sympathy as people.

The Christian Democrats always made you feel like the poor relation.

Russia is Germany's most important neighbor in the East, and it will remain so.