Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2005-09-26-Speech-1-082"
| Predicate | Value (sorted: default) |
|---|---|
| rdf:type | |
| dcterms:Date | |
| dcterms:Is Part Of | |
| dcterms:Language | |
| lpv:document identification number |
"en.20050926.13.1-082"2
|
| lpv:hasSubsequent | |
| lpv:speaker | |
| lpv:spokenAs | |
| lpv:translated text |
"Mr President, Solidarity was an extraordinary experiment involving a community that developed on the basis of common values and confidence in freedom.
In August 1980 Polish workers demanded freedom of the press, freedom of religious belief and above all freedom to set up free trade unions and an end to persecution for reasons of conviction. Millions of Poles said ‘no’ to Communism, and this was the beginning of the end of the Communist dictatorship. We called on the nations of Eastern Europe to engage in the struggle for civil liberties, which involved building a civil society. We did so with determination and strong in the belief that freedom can be won in spite of all overtly political restrictions. Millions of individuals committed themselves in solidarity to the life of their own country, a country that was free for 16 months until 13 December, when General Jaruzelski’s Communist dictatorship struck against this movement with a
. It was impossible to stifle or break our spirit, however, and we continued to live as free people. Communism was mortally wounded at the Gdansk shipyard in August 1980, and received its
nine years later in 1989.
We were helped in our struggle by other European nations. France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom all supported us. This gave us courage and a belief in our own strength, and I should like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to those who stood by us at that time. It was thanks to you that we survived, strong in the knowledge that Europe was thinking of us and that we had not been forgotten.
To what extent can the ideals of solidarity move hearts and consciences today? Nowadays, reflecting about Solidarity means reflecting about the nature of Europe. Europe is more than an economy and a market. It also stands for the values that make the European Community great. Europe is a family of nations built on a Christian heritage. Solidarity was founded on Christian principles and it strove to reawaken the best of human values in people. I refer to taking responsibility for each other, and being prepared to help those in need. The Solidarity ethic could contribute to the creation of a contemporary vision of Europe that would awaken the interest of the world. Reflecting about Solidarity nowadays also means reflecting about how to counter national egoism amongst the 25 Member States of the Union. I am confident that this can be achieved.
I believe in a European Union imbued with solidarity, a Union that is capable of being competitive, but which is simultaneously capable of demonstrating solidarity with the small and the weak. I believe in a Union that will hold high the banner of Solidarity and freedom, and be an inspiration to those who lack them."@en1
|
| lpv:unclassifiedMetadata |
Named graphs describing this resource:
The resource appears as object in 2 triples