East meets West as Germans celebrate the reunification

Germany's president celebrated the country's new-found national pride but also stressed that more needs to be done to integrate Muslim and other immigrants as he marked the 20th anniversary of reunification yesterday.

• The Brandenburg Gate was a focal point of celebrations, with thousands marking 20 years of reunification Picture: Getty

The country's post-war division ended with reunification on 3 October 1990 - less than 11 months after Communist East Germany opened the Berlin Wall amid pressure from massive demonstrations.

President Christian Wulff paid tribute to East Germans who protested against the regime, saying that "their courage impressed the world".

He said their chants of "we are one people" as Communism crumbled awoke "a national feeling that was long buried, for understandable historical reasons" after the Nazi era.

"Now, a new self-confidence has grown in all of Germany, an uninhibited patriotism, an open commitment to our country, which is aware of its great responsibility for the past," Mr Wulff said in a speech in the western city of Bremen, which hosted this year's main anniversary event.

• Merkel denies whistleblowing to state police' in her Communist upbringing

Germans have become more comfortable with displays of patriotism in recent years - illustrated notably by their enthusiastic flag-waving during the 2006 football World Cup, which Germany hosted.

But Mr Wulff - addressing an audience that included Chancellor Angela Merkel, the first leader of reunited Germany to grow up in the Communist east - made clear there is still more to be done despite the achievements of the past 20 years.

Referring to a recent debate over difficulties in integrating immigrants, he said Germany "must be open to those who come to us from all parts of the world - Germany needs them".

Last month, Thilo Sarrazin, a board member at Germany's central bank, quit his post amid controversy over a book he wrote claiming that German society was being made "dumber" by Muslim immigrants.The book has become a best-seller.

Ms Merkel, who nominated Mr Wulff for the presidency, came under fire for her handling of the row from both conservative elements of her own Christian Democrat (CDU) party and far-right groups.

Since then, she has tried to accommodate both ends of the debate, saying police should not have to fear entering immigrant-heavy neighbourhoods, but also that "mosques will be a somewhat larger part of our cityscape than before".

Mr Wulff said that there needs to be "greater consistency in applying rules and obligations".

However, "because people with foreign roots are important to us, I don't want them to be hurt in what are necessary debates" about the successes and failures of integration, Mr Wulff said. "We must not allow the cementing of prejudice and exclusion."

"We need a clear position: an understanding of Germany that isn't confined to a passport, a family history or a belief," he added. "There is no doubt that Christianity belongs to Germany; there is no doubt Judaism belongs to Germany ... but Islam now also belongs to Germany."

Germany has long been home to a large Turkish community.

The east of Germany is widely regarded as more racist than the west, with a greater number of assaults on immigrants and far-right parties maintaining a high profile - making Mr Wulff's comments more pointed.

Despite the colossal sums of money hurled at East Germany to rebuild its rotted infrastructure, it remains blighted by high unemployment, low birth rates, an ageing population and a continuing loss of citizens. Two million have left since reunification and around 100 people a day continue to move west.

Die Mauer steht noch in den Koepfen - the wall still stands in the mind - is a well-known phrase in Germany and sums up the feelings of a nation of two halves, each regarding the other with suspicion, envy and sometimes downright hatred.