Ich freue mich sehr, als Generalsekretär zum neunten Mal Deutschland besuchen zu können.
[It is a pleasure to be making my ninth visit to Germany as Secretary-General].
Madam Chancellor, it is a great honour to visit Germany again and it is a great honour for me personally and for the United Nations to be bestowed upon this Grand Cross 1st Class of the Order of Merit from the Federal Government of Germany. I regard it as a recognition not only of me but of the many thousand UN staff who are working day and night for humanity. And I am much more committed and much more motivated with this recognition to work for humanity. I thank you very much.
Germany and Chancellor Merkel are among the world’s strongest supporters and partners of the United Nations.
For me, as Secretary-General, it has been quite fortunate and lucky and happy to have worked with Chancellor Merkel and the German Government and people. I know that you will continue to serve this great country but this is my last year as Secretary-General. I count on your continuing support for the United Nations in the future.
Throughout my tenure as Secretary-General, I have been able to depend on Chancellor Merkel as a champion of UN causes and a source of wisdom and generous support. Germany has been a strong advocate for human rights, including women’s rights—gender equality. And Germany has been a very major force for sustainable development. Germany has been a strong anchor of global security. For all this, I am very much grateful for your leadership. 
Chancellor Merkel and I just had a very good meeting. She has explained several important issues.
I thanked her for her leadership on climate change.
We discussed the situation in Ukraine, sharing concern about the continued human suffering and the urgent need to implement the Minsk agreements. Chancellor Merkel's personal resolve and commitment to bring peace and stability to Ukraine are not only invaluable but also testimony of her diplomatic skill and perseverance.
We agreed on the need for the Syrian Government and opposition to engage in good faith when talks resume tomorrow in Geneva.  The conflict is about to enter its sixth year.  The people of Syria need their country back.
We also talked at length about the massive movements of people who are fleeing conflicts in Syria, Afghanistan and elsewhere and arriving in Europe.
Chancellor Merkel has shown great statesmanship and compassion in trying to ensure an effective, rights-based approach to this challenge.
At a time when many want to build walls and turn their backs on people in need, she has stood firm in defence of international law, human rights and our common humanity. 
At a time when some would prefer to take the easier route, she has shown that for a true leader, difficulties are not an obstacle to doing the right thing. She is a true moral voice, not only of Europe but in this world. She has shown great leadership and responsibility as a global leader.
I am concerned that many European countries are adopting increasingly restrictive asylum policies. Extreme right-wing and nationalistic political parties are inflaming the situation when we need to be seeking solutions – harmonious solutions based on shared responsibility.  I am deeply worried by growing anti-migrant and anti-refugee rhetoric, and by violent attacks against these communities.
Such actions divide communities, sow instability and betray the values and standards that underpin the European Union.  There is a need for dialogue with, and within, affected communities to avoid further polarization.
As we strive to save lives, crack down on human trafficking and address the genuine challenges faced by countries of transit and destination, we must also do more to look at the root causes in countries of origin.
Current global policies are clearly not adequate.  The United Nations is convening a Summit on September 19th aimed at bringing countries together behind a more humane and coordinated approach. I am asking world leaders to keep acting responsibly based on international human rights and international humanitarian law, and based on shared responsibility. I am urging them to show their compassionate leadership as global leaders of this time.
I look forward to Germany’s continued leadership on this and other challenges.  Chancellor Merkel, thank you again for your steadfast support and leadership at this time of test.
Thank you.
Q: [Question in German on Chancellor Merkel’s handling of the refugee crisis in Europe]
SG: I think I have been highly commending the leadership of Chancellor Merkel. She has been a real [moral voice] and she has been showing compassionate leadership. I know that this has caused a lot of divisiveness and disunity among European leaders. The European Union is a union of 28 well-to-do countries that have the capacity to render such humanitarian assistance. And I really appreciate again her continuing steadfast support for that. I know that she had a late night summit meeting yesterday with the Turkish Prime Minister and I also know that on 17 March, European leaders will gather again to discuss this matter.
I really count on European leaders. I think the European Union [are] the countries where they can do much more. It is not a matter of, I think, financial or some other issues. If there is some political will, based on firm international humanity and human rights then I think they can show, they can find some other better ways – this is what I am urging world leaders [to do.] That is why I am going to convene this summit meeting on 19 September where I expect all world leaders to come and discuss this matter at the global level. Our aim is to have some global compact in addressing migration and refugee issues. And I count on Chancellor Merkel’s continuing leadership. I am asking again that they should keep working responsibly as world leaders.  Thank you.
Q: [Question in German on EU/Turkey discussions regarding the refugee crisis]

SG: About the question raised to me, I am not in a position to mention any detailed issue which is currently under negotiation between the European Union and the Turkish Government. I sincerely hope that they will find a very mutually acceptable, harmonious solution to this matter. I have been visiting all these places where Syrian refugees are now accommodated starting from Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey and Iraq. I have been visiting most of the refugee camps around the world, particularly with the Syrian refugee issues continuing. I and most of the senior advisors of the United Nations, including the High Commissioner for Refugees, they have been regularly visiting refugee camps to find out what needs to be done more. I highly appreciate and commend the Turkish Government and people who have been generously accommodating more than 2.5 million refugees. Just imagine how big [a] challenge it would be to accommodate 2.5 million people. These refugees coming from Syrian [inaudible] Now European countries have been engaging much more other issues constructively. Now you have to just address this issue at this time. Therefore it will be extremely important to address this issue. I sincerely hope that negotiations will continue and try to find mutually agreeable solutions which will be beneficial to all the European countries and to the United Nations and all humanity.