President Miloš Zeman of the Czech Republic has honoured our former Federal Chancellor Gerhard Schröder with an Order which is conferred on only a few. I congratulate Mr Schröder wholeheartedly on receiving the White Lion Order, the highest honour awarded by the Czech Republic. I am delighted that Gerhard Schröder’s special services to the Czech-German friendship have been commended in this way. During World War II, Germany caused the people in Czechia indescribable suffering. We are profoundly grateful that Germany and the Czech Republic are today close partners and friends in a united Europe.