On behalf of the United States of America, I want to congratulate the German people on 35 years of unity and freedom on October 3.
Germany has been a steadfast ally of the United States, with German and American citizens working together to forge a Europe both prosperous and free. Now more than ever, we are reminded that shared security and national sovereignty cannot be taken for granted. Germans who never ceased fighting for unity and freedom in the face of foreign occupiers. They understood that the only way to deter those who would undermine our sovereignty is through a strong defense. Germany's decision to increase its defense investment to five percent of GDP reflects this legacy.
As we mark this important milestone, the United States reaffirms the strength and importance of the U.S.-Germany relationship for our shared security, peace, and prosperity.
