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?