As Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Jamaica, it is a matter of personal importance to me to further expand and strengthen the solid bridges between our countries and peoples. I particularly look forward to direct, personal encounters with the people here. It is precisely at this level—with people in their local communities—that we focus our project work, whether through vibrant cultural exchange or new initiatives by our Embassy in the fields of development, human rights, and education. Together with our Jamaican partners and friends, we aim to actively foster understanding between our governments and our peoples, and to deepen our partnership in areas such as climate and environmental protection.