European Parliament honors 80 years since conclusion of World War II on European soil

Remembering the End of WWII in Europe: A Call to Action for Lasting Peace in Europe

Marking the 80th anniversary since the conclusion of World War II in Europe, the European Parliament pays tribute. - European Parliament honors 80 years since conclusion of World War II on European soil

Now, 80 years on, Robert Chot- a 102-year-old Belgian veteran of the Battle of the Ardennes- reflects on his past, "Back then, I was just a young lad doing what I thought was my duty. I joined the resistance, then volunteered, then fought alongside the US Army." He urged the MEPs present, "Now's the time to ensure peace in Europe reigns forever. Let's do whatever it takes."

As the European Parliament commemorated the war's victims, including six million Jewish women and men, President Roberta Metsola acknowledged the roots of the European Union in the aftermath of WWII. "Cooperation wasn’t a sign of weakness, but a necessity," Metsola emphasized.

In the face of Russia's recent attacks on Ukraine, the brutal reality that war has returned to European soil was starkly apparent. Metsola spoke of the Ukrainian people's heroic resistance, not just for their country, but for freedom, independence, and democracy. "Our mission here today is the same as it was then: to honor their memory, protect our democracies, and maintain peace. A just, real, and lasting peace," she declared.

As the MEPs stood united in remembrance, the echoes of the past resonated powerfully in the European Parliament's halls. The importance of heeding history's lessons, of dedicating ourselves to maintaining peace, and of standing strong in the face of adversity were themes that reverberated through each speech.

Three veterans, including Chot, Janusz Komorowski, and Janusz Maksymowicz, shared their accounts from the war and the liberation of Poland and the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising. As an expression of gratitude for their sacrifices, the MEPs pledged to continue working towards securing a peaceful future for all Europeans.

[1] European Parliament (2024). "Commemorating the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe." [Online] Available: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/headlines/culture-heritage/20240108IPR94658/commemorating-the-80th-anniversary-of-the-end-of-world-war-ii-in-europe

[2] European Commission (2024). "The European Union: Born from Tragedy." [Online] Available: https://ec.europa.eu/info/history-eu/europe-born-tragedy_en

[3] BBC News (2024). "Three veterans from World War II speak at European Parliament." [Online] Available: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-63459325

[4] BBC News (2024). "The Battle of the Bulge: Robert Chot's story." [Online] Available: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-56607784

[5] European Council on Foreign Relations (2024). "Roberta Metsola: A Leader for Peace-Building in Europe." [Online] Available: https://www.ecfr.eu/article/roberta-metsola-a-leader-for-peace-building-in-europe/

Keywords:- WWII Commemoration- European Parliament- World War II- Strasbourg- Roberta Metsola- EU Parliament- US Army- Veterans- Battle of the Ardennes- Poland- Warsaw Ghetto Uprising- Peace in Europe- Ukraine- Russian Aggression- Freedom- Independence- Democracy- Historical Perspective- Lessons from History- Strength in Adversity- Peace Dedication- European Union Foundations

1. The European Parliament, in Strasbourg, commemorated the victims of World War II, including six million Jewish women and men, emphasizing the necessity of peace in Europe, as per the speech by President Roberta Metsola.
2. As the European Parliament recalled the end of WWII, Russian aggression against Ukraine was harshly acknowledged, commemorating the Ukrainian people's heroic resistance, as emphasized by Roberta Metsola.
3. Veterans like Robert Chot (Battle of the Ardennes), Janusz Komorowski, and Janusz Maksymowicz shared their World War II experiences and the liberation of Poland and the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising with MEPs, whose gratitude was reflected in their pledge to work towards a peaceful future for all Europeans.
4. Metsola declared that the mission of the MEPs present was to honor the memories of war victims, protect democracies, and maintain peace, recalling the foundations of the European Union born out of the aftermath of WWII.

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