Message from Germany’s Ambassador to Singapore – Dr Bettina Fanghaenel 

THE Day of German Unity recalls the vision of a world undivided. Having newly arrived in Singapore as German Ambassador, I am honoured to celebrate this day in and with a country which is closely linked to Germany through deep friendship and a multi-layered strong cooperation. 

Arriving in Singapore not only means arriving in the heart of the Asean region, but also at the gateway to the wider Indo-Pacific – the region shaping the 21st century.

Germany holds vital interests in the Indo-Pacific: maintaining open markets, keeping maritime routes accessible, building sustainable supply chains, upholding accepted norms and standards, and acting on the global agendas of climate and environmental protection. Germany’s commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific region could not be better underscored than by a port call of the German Navy for our National Day.

FGS Baden-Wuerttemberg and FGS Frankfurt am Main are visiting Singapore as part of this year’s Indo-Pacific Deployment of seven months, which brings the ships on a journey around the globe, alongside a deployment of the German Air Force. It is the most complex operation the German Navy has ever undertaken. 

The renewed deployment of a maritime task force aligns with a series of deployments which Germany has strived to establish since adopting Policy Guidelines for the Indo-Pacific in 2020. By engaging in multifold joint exercises, we aim for inclusive partnerships instead of block confrontations, and welcome all efforts for peace, security and open trade.

Singapore is our key partner in the region which shares these efforts with infallible reliability. In continuation of our thriving partnership, I wish all readers a joyous day in the spirit of unity!