Chargé d’Affaires Pamela Castellanos Mancilla paid tribute to Bolivia’s cultural diversity and its historical achievements. “The proclamation of our independence … was the result of a long struggle, great sacrifices and the hope of all those who dreamt of a free and sovereign nation.”
Guided by the motto ‘Bolivia for the world and the world for Bolivia’, modern-day Bolivia pursues a sovereign and pragmatic foreign policy. Diplomacy, as an instrument of national development, should promote trade, investment and technology transfer. The sustainable industrialisation of strategic raw materials such as lithium and rare earths plays a key role. Castellanos Mancilla described Germany as a strategic partner. 
Lena Viebrock from the Federal Foreign Office had lived in Chile and Argentina for more than ten years prior to taking up her new post as “Head of the Division for Bilateral and EU Relations with the Andean States”, and had visited Bolivia on several occasions during that time. She said she was fascinated by the country’s natural and cultural wealth and was delighted to take on this role at this particular time, as bilateral relations between Bolivia and Germany had reached a new level in recent months.
After the official part of the event had concluded, traditional empanadas were served, and there was ample opportunity for conversation amidst music and folk dancing.