Europe needs an integrated perception of its common history. Tunne Kelam MEP
27.03.2009 | Tunne Kelam | English news
The first debate on the topic 'European conscience and totalitarianism' took place during the plenary session of the European Parliament this week.
The debate, as well as a Draft Resolution, was initiated by Members of the EPP-ED Group Jana Hybáškova, Tunne Kelam and József Szájer.
Estonian MEP Tunne Kelam concluded that in parallel to economic and political enlargement, Europe needs enlargement of its conscience and awareness of the terrible crimes that were committed by totalitarian regimes of the 20th century.
"In order to complete the building of our common European house, we need to create a balanced and integrated perception of our history", said Kelam. "Only overcoming regional thinking, ignorance and different prejudices will lead to an all-European understanding that all historic events, tragedies and crimes are part of our common European heritage for which we as EU citizens bear responsibility".
In Kelam's words, such an understanding which includes an enhanced reciprocal interest, awareness and empathy towards all member nations and their destinies will constitute a guarantee that horrible crimes of the totalitarian regimes will never be repeated.
The EPP-ED initiators of the debate asked the Council and the Commission to mark August 23 as a European Day of Remembrance of the victims of Nazism and Communism and to contribute financially and politically to the establishment of a Platform of European Memory and Conscience.
Czech Deputy Prime Minister Alexandr Vondra expressed his conviction that the regimes of Hitler and Stalin were essentially similar. He declared that the Czech Presidency will lead the way in starting to mark August 23 as a common remembrance day.
Tunne Kelam expressed his regret that some socialist leaders opposed the idea in principle of a parliamentary Resolution on totalitarianism. All other political groups agreed on Wednesday evening on a joint Draft Resolution which will go to the vote on April 2.
In the words of the EPP-ED Group Member from Hungary, György Schöpflin, "Without a thorough scrutiny of its past, the left in some post-Communist countries compels itself to live with a false past, screening out all painful events. As the Western left seems to fully accept this unreconstructed post-communist left, it too finds itself obliged to defend an indefensible past".
