BERLIN — Germany on Friday marked the 60th birthday of its post-World War II federal republic, under which the country has become a stable and respected democracy with global political and economic clout.
President Horst Koehler opened two-day celebrations of the May 23, 1949, proclamation of the republic's "Basic Law," or constitution, at an official ceremony in a Berlin concert house.
The federal republic, originally known abroad as West Germany, expanded to incorporate the formerly communist east when the country was reunited in 1990.
Koehler praised the efforts of Germans from both east and west to work toward the "open and cosmopolitan society" they enjoy today.
"Our country has friends across the world," he said. "We have won a good reputation abroad; we are valued for our efficiency and reliability, for our readiness to help and peacefulness."
Koehler, who is seeking re-election by a special parliamentary assembly on Saturday, said the country could be "proud of what we have achieved," highlighting challenges ranging from postwar rebuilding to reunification and integrating minorities.
"We have faced the crimes of the Nazis and sought reconciliation with Jews," the president said. "We have learned from our history and, therefore, will always denounce anti-Semitism, racism and xenophobia."
Chancellor Angela Merkel said last week that the constitution's authors — a parliamentary council tasked with the job by the powers that occupied what became West Germany — "created the stable order for our country that we still enjoy today."
She described it as "one of the best constitutions in the world, and certainly the best Germany ever had."
Although the "basic law" originally was meant to be provisional and make way for a new constitution once Germany was reunified, in the end it was adopted by the formerly communist east on reunification in 1990.
Looking ahead, Koehler acknowledged the divide that still exists between the former east and west but urged Germans to work together as they face an economically gloomy climate.
"We are aware of the new, large challenges," Koehler said. "We face them confident (that) we will prove ourselves."
The ceremonies are to continue Saturday with a street fair near the Brandenburg Gate, which for years stood out of reach behind the Berlin Wall and was a symbol of the nation's division.
That wall was torn down 20 years ago this November, along with the Iron Curtain that divided Europe.
Flanking the monument are the embassies of the United States and France, with Britain around the corner — the western Allied powers who oversaw the founding of West Germany's fledgling democracy and protected it for years from the threat of the nearby Soviet Union.
In his speech, Koehler thanked "all of our friends who supported us on the road to reunification, particularly the United States of America."