Germany’s President Frank-Walter Steinmeier awarded Silviu Vexler, chairman of the Federation of Jewish Communities in Romania and an MP member of the Jewish minority in the Romanian Parliament, the Cross of Merit in the rank of Officer of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany in recognition of the latter’s successful commitment to Romanian-German relations.

Germany’s Embassy in Bucharest reported on Friday that ambassador Peer Gebauer handed Vexler the decoration on Thursday in the presence of Romania’s Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu, chair of the Supreme Court of Justice Alina-Corina Corbu, Defence Minister Angel Tilvar, MP Ovidiu Gant and numerous other guests, during a festive ceremony at the ambassador’s residence.

Vexler has stood out for his special merits, known for numerous successful legislative initiatives started in collaboration with German minority lawmaker Ovidiu Gant. An example of this would be the law on granting compensation to deported persons, as well as to those politically persecuted during the National Socialist period. Another law provided for the introduction of measures to prevent and combat anti-Semitism.

Moreover, Vexler is said to have been committed to the culture of Holocaust remembrance, among other things with the initiative of establishing the National Museum of Jewish History and the Holocaust, as well as the introduction in schools of the subject matter „History of the Jews. The Holocaust.” In this case too, there was close cooperation between the lawmaker of the Jewish minority and his counterpart from the German minority.

„You dedicate yourselves every day, with great devotion and commitment, to Romanian-German and German-Jewish relations. You are not only a politician, but also a bridge builder between minorities, religions and nations and, to me personally, a friend. Your close partnership with the German minority in Romania is a remarkable example and a binder between our countries. Together with the German minority MP, Ovidiu Gant, you have succeeded, through numerous legislative initiatives, in supporting the two communities and encouraging understanding and reconciliation. Your involvement in combating anti-Semitism and hate speech is particularly important in this regard, as is your commitment to keeping the memory of the victims of the Holocaust alive, so that they are never forgotten,” Gebauer told Vexler.

In his turn, Vexler said that he has dedicated his entire public career to protecting the memory of the victims of the Holocaust, developing Jewish life and promoting Romania internationally.

„I’ve tried to do everything I can, at every moment, to bring about a change for the better for the whole society. During this period, the encouragement and effective support received from the Federal Republic of Germany played a fundamental role. What started as a simple collaboration turned into a relationship, and especially into a unique friendship that binds the Jewish and German minorities, the Jews of Romania and the Federal Republic of Germany. In the most difficult moments, we knew that we could count on this essential support every time,” said Vexler.

He pointed to the need for ties between Romania and Germany to further develop.

AGERPRES