After thanking the volunteers and professionals who have helped welcome the newcomers, Ms. Merkel, who has come under fire from even her own party for refusing to put a cap on the number of arrivals, emphasized her belief that the country could benefit in the end:

There is no question that the influx of so many people will still demand more from us. It will take time, effort and money — especially when it comes to the very important task of integrating those who will be remaining here permanently. Here we want to, and must, learn from the mistakes of the past. Our values, our traditions, our understanding of the law, our language, our rules and regulations — all of these things undergird our society and are the fundamental requirements for the positive and mutually respectful coexistence of all the people in our country. This applies to everyone who wants to live here. Successful immigration, however, benefits a country — economically as well as socially.

She added, “Next year is about one thing in particular: our cohesion,” and then said: “It is important for us not to let ourselves be divided. Not by generation, and also not socially or into the categories of longtime residents and new residents.”