‘Indian and German economies are lighthouses in the currently dull world economy’

Panaji: The ongoing refugee crisis that has seen over a million refugees risk life and limb to enter the European Union poses a tremendous challenge to Europe, not only testing the financial strength of the continent, but also human and cultural values, German consul general to India, Michael Siebert said.
“We face an enormous challenge to accommodate a million refugees from Syria and other war-torn countries in just a few weeks’ time.Integrating them, later on, will be an even bigger challenge,” Siebert said while speaking at the annual celebration of the day of German unity in Goa.
“Let me assure you that Germany will put all its energy in preserving Europe as a place where basic human values are put into practice and where solidarity remains the guiding political principle, whatever member country needs it,” the consul general of Germany for Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Goa said.
Around ten million Syrians have fled their homes due to sectarian violence and collapse of the rule of law. While most Syrians and migrants have fled to Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan and Iraq, close to a million Syrian refugees and other migrants continue to make the arduous journey by sea in a bid to get to Germany and the UK.
Siebert also took the time to express his confidence in the strength of the European Union. “Pundits have often predicted the end of this historic quest to unify the European continent. Each time, they were wrong,” he said.
The German consul general also thanked the European Union for its help in the unification of Germany. “The Berlin Wall was the symbol of this artificial and cruel division. Not to forget the support of our other neighbours, and I would like to mention Poland especially. Without the European Union, German unification would not have been possible,” Siebert added.
Siebert also took time to touch upon Indo-German trade relations, highlighting the intergovernmental consultations and partnerships discussed between chancellor Angela Merkel and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “They underpinned our strategic partnership with India and brought a wealth of new projects, including a fast-track system for German investments in India, a billion Euro solar partnership. Indian and German economies are among the lighthouses in the currently rather dull world economy. Their links continue to intensify. Trade in both directions is again growing by double digits,” he said.