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It is
hard for those of us brought up in the West to truly comprehend
what it was like for those who lived under Communism. The Berlin
Wall became the physical embodiment of the oppression and to see
people physically tearing it down on the 9th November just twenty
years ago marked a new chapter in the history of Europe. Some
historians comment that the end of the Cold War actually marked the
final end to a war that began in 1914. When you talk to colleagues
who lived under Communism, the end of their oppression happened
almost in disbelief. For some it was a surprise for others a
shock.
The twentieth century
in Europe was scarred by wars, conflict, oppression, fascism,
communism, families divided and borders drawn. The breaking down of
the last barrier, a concrete wall, brought a new era to Europe.
Vaclav Havel in the Parliament last week commented that we moved
from the battlefield to the conference hall. Who would have thought
that in just twenty years, we would see a re-unified Germany and
ten formally Eastern bloc countries brought into the democratic
fold of the European Union?
The end of communism
however did not mark the end of history. We were fortunate that in
most of the newly democratic states those events did not turn into
a renewed nationalism with the conflict and bloodshed of another
Bosnia. It was a peaceful although painful transition for many in
becoming members of the EU. We now have the greatest chance at
solidarity across twenty seven countries even although we may from
time to time disagree with one another. We have the best chance at
solving common challenges such as climate change, migration,
fighting terrorism, cleaning up the financial system and tacking
inequalities if we cooperate together
Last week as you
entered the Parliament Precinct from Place Luxembourg you would
have encountered pieces of the Berlin Wall. These concrete
structures with their graffiti looked still fresh. However we now
have a generation who have no reference point to the fall of the
Berlin Wall. When MEPs visit schools and universities today the
reference point of the end of communism is gone. The democratic
change which has taken place across Central and Eastern Europe is
taken for granted. If we don't remember the past we run the risk of
repeating our mistakes and to what a human cost. We should never
forget the journey we have taken together and the value of our
democratic freedoms. As Vaclav Havel said we should always show
solidarity with anyone confronted with a totalitarian regime. We
help more than we think. The power of the EU together is a power
for good. Vaclav Havel for President of the Council,
anyone?
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Editorial - November 2009
