Ambassador Sibylle Katharina Sorg: “The Most Important Element Between Türkiye and Germany Is the People”
Germany’s Ambassador to Türkiye, Sibylle Katharina Sorg, emphasized that “the most important element between Türkiye and Germany is the people” during her speech at the celebration marking the 35th anniversary of German Unity Day. “Having travelled across this beautiful country known for its great hospitality, it is easy to understand why Türkiye remains one of the most popular holiday destinations for Germans,” Sorg said.
M. FERHAT YÜKSEL
Hosted at the German Embassy in Ankara, the reception was co-chaired by Ambassador Sorg and Manfred Pentz, Minister for Federal and European Affairs of the German State of Hesse. Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Director for EU Affairs Ambassador Mehmet Kemal Bozay, along with numerous ambassadors and distinguished guests, attended the event.
A United Germany After 35 Years
Following the national anthems performed by tenor Ünüşan Kuloğlu from the Ankara State Opera and Ballet, Ambassador Sorg began her opening remarks by recalling the reunification of the two German states 35 years ago:
“With the fall of the Iron Curtain, people across Europe celebrated their regained freedom and looked to the future with hopes for prosperity and security. Security, freedom, and prosperity, this trinity forms the foundation of our foreign policy and remains the guiding principle of the current federal government.”
Shared Challenges and Strategic Partnership
Ambassador Sorg described Türkiye and Germany as strategic partners facing many common challenges that require joint solutions. She underlined the need for close cooperation on Europe’s security, a strong NATO, peace in the Middle East, and stability in Syria.
The Human Connection
Highlighting the human and historical dimension of bilateral relations, Sorg said:
“For centuries, the human bond has been the essence of our relations, from the Bosphorus Germans of the 19th century, to the German architects invited by Mustafa Kemal in the 1920s to help design the new capital, to those who found refuge in Türkiye during the Nazi era, to the German citizens with roots in Türkiye, and to today’s artists, students, and academics enriching this relationship in the fields of art, education, and science. Having travelled through this beautiful country with such great hospitality, it is easy to see why Türkiye remains one of the most popular holiday destinations for Germans.”
Trade Volume Reaches 50 Billion Dollars
Deputy Minister Mehmet Kemal Bozay noted that diplomatic relations, established in 1763, have steadily strengthened over time.
“Today, as NATO allies and close partners, Türkiye and Germany continue to work together to ensure stability and prosperity in our region and beyond,” he said.
Bozay emphasized that Germany is Türkiye’s largest export market, with bilateral trade volume reaching approximately 50 billion U.S. dollars.
‘An Economic Miracle Thanks to Turkish Workers’
Minister Manfred Pentz of Hesse expressed his gratitude to the Turkish community:
“Our recent history, the history of Germany, and even of Hesse, cannot be imagined without Türkiye—without the people in Türkiye, or without those who came to Germany from Türkiye. The German economic miracle would not have been possible without our guest workers and friends—including many Turkish men and women.
If Hesse is today one of the strongest regions not only in Germany but in all of Europe, much of the credit goes to the large Turkish community living there. Over 300,000 people of Turkish origin in Hesse are shaping our economy, culture, schools, and cities—as teachers, entrepreneurs, doctors, engineers, workers, and citizens contributing to every aspect of life.”
