Build bridges not walls

"People are lonely because they build walls instead of bridges" - Joseph Newton Forte. Maybe all commemorations on Monday will centre around the fall of the Berlin Wall but, in fact, the fall of the wall, though significant, was the culmination of a huge succession of events that started 10 years earlier in Poland, took 10 months in neighbouring Hungary, 10 weeks in East Germany, 10 days in Czechoslovakia and 10 hours in Romania.

In 1987, in front of the Brandenburg Gate, an American President by the name of Ronald Reagan famously demanded: "There is one sign the Soviets can make that would be unmistakable, that would advance dramatically the cause of freedom and peace. General Secretary Gorbachev, if you seek peace, if you seek prosperity for the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, if you seek liberalisation: Come here to this gate! Mr Gorbachev, open this gate! Mr Gorbachev, tear down this wall!"

Whether this statement actually had any sort of impact on the Soviet leader is unknown but the Berlin Wall did come down. The fall was historically marked on November 9, 1989 although it was not officially totally demolished until the summer of 1990. This enabled "free passage" through all border crossings; free passages, which, back then, few would have thought would translate in so many other "freedoms". The fall of this wall was not only the end of a long walk but, more importantly, the beginning of many other changes. The fall of the wall led to drastic transformations around the world, marking the end of the Cold War and of the division of Europe. This historical event symbolised the end of communism and the emergence of a Europe whole and free, a beginning of democracy for the whole of Europe.

Those who had the opportunity to witness the events still recall how nation after nation in Eastern Europe ousted the communist rulers and rejoined the mainstream of European democracy. The barriers that divided the centre of Europe were lifted and Hungarians, Czechs and Poles emerged almost dazed into the daylight of a new world.

This was an epoch of great visionary politicians who knew how to courageously and together manage and embrace challenges and drive the change. It was not as easy as bringing down a wall. Mr Gorbachev accepted the yearning of the East Europeans to be free, Chancellor Helmut Kohl displayed extraordinary political ability in neutralising the fears of a super-Germany and, in turn, allowed the people of East Germany to be embraced by the West.

Mr Reagan and Margaret Thatcher had the courage and the vision to stand up to the Soviet Union and bring about the defeat of communism rather than, like their predecessors, coexist peacefully with it. The tenacity of the leaders of the people of the Eastern European countries, who managed to garner enough support to bring about the change, was crucial so that each and every person could breathe and feel the ultimate aim of this historical moment: freedom.

Not to mention other architects who, through their leadership and vision and, above all, hope, gave their people the guidance and reason to pursue their struggle for freedom, a freedom of movement, freedom of expression... freedom to live. Pope John Paul II, Lech Walesa, Vaclav Havel are a few who come to mind.

Twenty years after the historic events of 1989, which symbolised the end of an era in which Europe and the world suffered ideological, political, social and cultural divisions, Europe continues to recognise the important role civil society plays in fostering stability, security and respect for all human beings. This celebration presents an excellent opportunity to reflect on the many achievements of civil society in all three dimensions of security: the economic, environmental and human domains.

It should also help us to reflect upon where we are going. One should not forget where we are and how it all started. It started because the political leaders across Europe had a unifying aim. The supra-national interests were more paramount to nationalistic elements. This scenario required a vision. Lord Powell, former private secretary and foreign policy adviser to Mrs Thatcher said recently: "The political leaders of that time had an ability to see the big picture and take the truly big decisions". He also opined that "that is what is lacking now".

Is he right? Is he wrong? Hopefully, history will prove him wrong but, beyond all the clichés of one Europe, today there is the need for the political unity element to take momentum again in view of several nationalistic trends looming large in so many countries of "Europe, one and whole".

These trends and traits may dangerously influence leaders to lose sight of the supra-national interests and, as a consequence, confine and channel their energies to focus on purely nationalistic ones. We need to be sure that the European institutions serve as the catalysts to foster again the "one Europe" feeling among every citizen that forms part of this Europe.

I believe that if countries "build walls rather than bridges" they will be more lonely. Europe is about building bridges... That should always be our aim. We should continue working on the sacrifices made by so many people before us, the people who fought so hard for our freedom in a world war 60 years ago and in Eastern Europe for another 40 odd years until 1989 so that we are in a position today to be able to continue building our bridges. We cannot throw away all the effort made by these people. Our goal of an undivided Europe must continue to be our aim.

Dr Drake is Permanent Representative of the European Commission in Malta.