STEINMEIER's SPEECH ON GERMAN TV

Today I want to bring a quote from a really great speech, which the German president Frank-Walter Steinmeier made a few days ago on German TV.  The occasion was as mentioned the corona crisis and what that means to each of us.   

Steinmeier has been president of Germany since 2017. He is 64 years old and a Social-Democrat.  Earlier he was minister for foreign affairs, chairman of his party, SPD, and earlier head of the office of the then German chancellor Gerhard Schröder.
Some years ago be also was known, because he gave one of his kidneys to his wife, Elke Büdenbinder, who is a judge.

Here are some of his words to the German viewers:

And will we join up around the world to search for a solution - or will we fall back into isolation and everyone going it alone? Let us share all knowledge and research, so that we can more rapidly find a vaccine and therapies. And let us form a global alliance that works to ensure that the poorest and most vulnerable countries also get access. No, this pandemic is not a war. It does not pit nations against nations, or soldiers against soldiers. Rather, it is a test of our humanity. It brings out the worst and the best in people. Let us show each other our best side! 
And let us do so in Europe, as well. Germany cannot emerge from the crisis strong and healthy if our neighbours do not also become strong and healthy. This blue flag is here for a reason. Thirty years after the reunification of Germany, and 75 years after the end of the war, we Germans are not only called on, but are actually obligated, to show European solidarity! 
Solidarity, I know, is a lofty concept. But is not each and every one of us now experiencing, in a very personal and existential way, what solidarity means? My actions are essential for the survival of others.  

And you can read his full speech in English translation here: 

http://www.bundespraesident.de/SharedDocs/Downloads/DE/Reden/2020/04/200411-TV-Ansprache-Corona-Englisch.pdf;jsessionid=E3D20F7CEADB9B92C27D9531285D43FD.1_cid371?__blob=publicationFile

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