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Freie und Hansestadt Behörde für Wissenschaft und Forschung

Zweite Bürgermeisterin

Breakfast for the Aldermanic and Ward of Cheap of the City of , Jeffrey Evans, on 23 October 2013, 12:30, Rathaus, Turmsaal

Es gilt das gesprochene Wort.

Mr Evans, Präses Melsheimer, Dear guests from London, Ladies and Gentlemen,

On behalf of the Senate of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg, I warmly welcome you to the Tower Chamber of our Town Hall. I am delighted that you have all come along today to our senate breakfast. We are now right in the centre of the building. And the

Seite 2 von 7 name Tower Chamber reveals that the 112-metre- high town hall tower is directly above our heads. This building has witnessed many momentous events over 116 years, and exudes history.

It can tell many stories about the city and its connections throughout the world – graphically depicted here in the Tower Chamber by the allegorical paintings of the city republics of Amsterdam, Athens, Rome and Venice, created by the Bavarian painter Ferdinand Wagner in 1899.

This building is very old – and very lively. The right- hand half is the seat of the government, and the other half, the home of the parliament. This is where the future is debated, discussed, planned and decided. Hamburg has both: established traditions and the ability to change.

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Our future depends on the port and classic industry, as well as on new technologies and innovations, initiated in the science and high-tech location Hamburg.

At the annual Hamburg morning assembly, for which you, dear guests, have come to Hamburg, we look on what has been successfully tried and tested, on traditions. At the same time, we discuss the ideas which will help us shape the future.

We recall the beginnings of the in the 13th century when merchants from Hamburg formed a protective alliance in the in London. Almost 750 years ago, the English king Henry III accorded the Hamburg merchants domiciled in London the right to form a Hanseatic League.

The Steelyard in London was the most famous or trading base of the Hanseatic League, which

Seite 4 von 7 played a crucial part in the development of business relations in northern Europe over the following centuries. In its heyday it counted more than 200 cities amongst its members. The courage, innovation and public spirit demonstrated by the merchants in the Hanseatic League during the Middle Ages, is a model for today's businessmen and companies.

It proved its worth at the time, and its spirit is still alive right up to the present day. And things that prove their worth, are also of value. For me, these values include public spirit, and the regulations and rituals which a community adopts. And these naturally also include good relations – national and international.

Hamburg's character is significantly influenced by trading – in other words, by relationships with the whole world. Hamburg is a cosmopolitan city, home to Europe's second biggest port, and the largest export location in Germany. The Hanseatic League

Seite 5 von 7 developed and promoted peaceful international trade from Hamburg to northern and central Europe, and beyond – and the influence is still clear today.

That is something we wish to pursue together, and create a forum for discussions and political exchanges. The morning assembly provides an opportunity for foreign guests in particular to come into direct contact with the companies domiciled in Hamburg, and supports Hamburg's international positioning as a business location.

The strength of the historical and social ties which have developed between the merchants from Hamburg and London since the time of the original Steelyard, is not only demonstrated by the major reception enjoyed by the Kontor Management Board from Hamburg at the Lord Mayor's Show in the .

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It is also highlighted in a very special way by those of you, dear guests and representatives from the City of London, who regularly come to us in Hamburg on occasions such as tomorrow's Hamburg morning assembly. I am delighted to have you here as our guests today!

We are therefore also looking to the future and considering aspects such as the further development of Hamburg's relations with the North Sea and Baltic regions, and with Asia. Tradition and innovation belong together. Things which have proven their worth in the past can also be valuable in future.

Our city is not only a major hub for the trade in goods, but also the registered seat of many significant companies and representative offices of foreign enterprises. This unique mixture of industry, trading, financial sector and services industry, formed the platform for Hamburg's economic strength, as it also

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Flourishing Hanseatic cosmopolitan traditions are the ideal platform for Hamburg merchants to meet and discuss ideas with their business partners and personalities from Germany, the Baltic region, and from both sides of the Atlantic.

The slogan of our event "Freedom for the spirit, opportunities and trade" reminds us of the roots of the Hanseatic League and the coexistence of the Hamburg merchants at the Steelyard in London. We see the rich historical heritage from this time as a major opportunity for the future of our city.

I wish us all many inspiring contacts and exciting discussions. Thank you very much.