European Parliament Honors 80 Years Since the End of World War II in Europe: A Call to Preserve Peace
Commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the conclusion of World War II in Europe by the European Parliament - European Parliament marks 80 years since the conclusion of World War II in Europe
Let's take a walk down memory lane, back to a time when an ordinary Belgian named Robert Chot joined the resistance, enlisted as a volunteer, and eventually fought alongside the US Army. Today, he stands before the European Parliament with a heartfelt plea, "Let's ensure peace in Europe lasts forever," he says.
The European Parliament commemorated the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, paying tribute to its victims, including six million Jews. Parliament President Metsola highlighted the EU's origins post-war, emphasizing, "This cooperation wasn't a weakness, but a necessity."
The war may be over, but it seems war hasn't entirely left Europe-Russia's attack on Ukraine in February 2022 brought it back. Metsola shared her thoughts, "The Ukrainian people are not just fighting for their country, but for freedom, independence, democracy." She underscored the task at hand, "We must honor the memory, protect democracy, and maintain peace-a just, real, and lasting peace."
A Tribute to the Past, a Call for the Future
The European Parliament organized a series of events to honor the past and address the challenges of the present, starting with a moving ceremony. A flag-raising ceremony took place in the plenary session, followed by wreath-laying by Presidents Metsola and Costa. Three resilient World War II veterans shared their experiences in a heartfelt testimonial during the ceremony. The event concluded with a musical rendition of the European anthem.
A subsequent debate ensued, focusing on the legacy of the end of World War II and the current state of freedom, democracy, and security in Europe. The event highlighted the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, reiterating the importance of unity and resilience in the face of adversity, with Metsola's clarion call-"stand together and say, clearly and firmly: never again."
The European Parliament stands as a symbol of unity, serving as a testament to the resilience and determination of its citizens. As we look back on the end of World War II, we must not forget the lessons learned and continue to work towards preserving peace and unity in Europe.
- Europe
- World War II
- Strasbourg
- Germany
- European Parliament
- Roberta Metsola
- EU Parliament
- US Army
- Ukraine
- Cooperation
- Resilience
- Peace
- Vigilance
[1] https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/headlines/culture-heritage/20230504STO77770/commemoration-of-the-80th-anniversary-of-the-end-of-the-second-world-war[2] https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20230504STO77770/european-parliament-will-commemorate-the-80th-anniversary-of-the-end-of-world-war-ii[3] https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20230502STO77578/legacy-of-the-second-world-war-shaping-the-future-of-europe[4] https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/TA-9-2023-05-02-064-8-20230502STO77578_EN.html[5] https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20230502STO77578/legacy-of-the-second-world-war-shaping-the-future-of-europe
- The European Parliament, composed of MEPs from EC countries, continues to reflect on the lessons learned from World War II, a conflict that ended 80 years ago, with the start of the war-and-conflicts in Ukraine serving as a reminder of the need for unity and vigilance in preserving peace.
- The Ukrainian people, resisting against Russia's invasion in February 2022, have been at the forefront of the general-news, their fight symbolizing not just the defense of their homeland, but freedom, independence, democracy, and the preservation of peace in Europe.
- In Strasbourg, the European Parliament, acknowledging the EU's post-war cooperation as a necessity rather than a weakness, organized a commemorative event to honor the end of World War II, paying tribute to its victims and emphasizing the importance of remembering and preserving peace.
- As Robert Chot, a former Belgian resistance member, stood before the European Parliament, his plea for an enduring peace in Europe resonated with the MEPs assembled, underscoring the importance of unity and resilience in overcoming challenges, as illustrated in the beginnings of the resistance movement during World War II.
