Allow me to greet you and, in your person, the German people on the formation of the German Democratic Republic and the election of the first as President and the second as Prime Minister of the German Democratic Republic.

The formation of the German democratic peace-loving republic is a turning point in the history of Europe. There can be no doubt that the existence of a peace-loving democratic Germany alongside the existence of the peace-loving Soviet Union precludes the possibility of new wars in Europe, puts an end to bloodshed in Europe, and makes impossible the enslavement of European countries by the world imperialists.

The experience of the last war has shown that the German and Soviet peoples bore the greatest sacrifices in this war, that these two peoples possess the greatest potential in Europe for carrying out major actions of world significance. If these two peoples display the determination to fight for peace with the same exertion of their forces with which they waged war, then peace in Europe can be considered assured.

Thus, in laying the foundation for a united, democratic, and peace-loving Germany, you are at the same time doing a great deed for the whole of Europe, ensuring lasting peace for it.

You may rest assured that, in following this path and strengthening the cause of peace, you will meet with the great sympathy and active support of all the peoples of the world, including the American, British, French, Polish, Czechoslovak, and Italian peoples, not to mention the peace-loving Soviet people.

I wish you success on this new, glorious path. Long live and flourish the united, independent, democratic, peace-loving Germany!

J. STALIN

October 13, 1949

Pravda, October 14, 1949