History has often showed us the strength of the forces that are unleashed by the yearning for freedom. It moved people to overcome their fears and openly confront dictators such as in East Germany and Eastern Europe about 22 years ago... The yearning for freedom cannot be contained by walls for long. It was this yearning that brought down the Iron Curtain that divided Germany and Europe, and indeed the world, into two blocs.

We must never forget our responsibilities as politicians to our country and its citizens. We must always remain humble before our people.

I would like to see Russia develop as democratically as possible. But when we judge Russia we must also consider where the country is coming from. Our concepts of democracy can't just be schematically transferred. However, I do admit that I'm concerned about some recent developments, such as the new laws against non-governmental organizations.

I believe that we will move forward a little tomorrow but I have my doubts that we will achieve a result.

There's a rumour going around that states cannot go bankrupt. This rumour is not true.

From a German point of view, German-American and European-American relations are a pillar of our foreign policy.

The digital world creates situation where there are no secrets anymore.