Russia is Germany’s most important neighbor in the East, and it will remain so.

You didn’t just pay lip service to the goal of overcoming the division of Europe and Germany… Rather, you put yourself at the forefront of those who encouraged us on the way to unity.

The Christian Democrats always made you feel like the poor relation.

George Bush was for me the most important ally on the road to German unity.

I have been underestimated for decades. I have done very well that way.

Russia is Germany’s most important neighbor in the East, and it will remain so.

For me it is completely clear that our air bases in Germany would be available to the Americans.

The army is under orders to defend every place.

Peace must be more than the absence of war.

We were united not only by political respect for each other, but also by deep mutual sympathy as people.