The European Parliament adopted by 463 votes to 49, with 33 abstentions, a resolution on the sixtieth anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe on 8 May 1945.

The texted adopted in plenary had been tabled as a joint resolution by the EPP-ED, PES, ALDE, Greens/ALE, IND/DEM and UEN.

Parliament highlights the importance of keeping the memories of the past alive, because there cannot be reconciliation without truth and remembrance. It emphasises at the same time that only a strong Europe can offer a means of overcoming the atrocities of the past.

Renewing its commitment to a peaceful and prosperous Europe founded on the values of respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights, Parliament confirms its united stand against all totalitarian rule of whatever ideological persuasion. It calls on all countries to open their archives pertaining to World War II.

Parliament confirms its united stand against all totalitarian rule of whatever ideological persuasion. It welcomes this first opportunity to commemorate the anniversary with elected Members from all 25 Member States as an expression of the ever closer union of our nations and citizens, who have overcome the divisions between aggressors and victims and between victors and the defeated.

Parliament welcomes the fact that the Central and Eastern European states and peoples can now also enjoy freedom and the right to determine their destiny after so many decades under Soviet domination or occupation or other communist dictatorships. It also welcomes German unification and the fact that ten of the Central and Eastern European states have joined, or will soon join, the European Union.

Moreover, Parliament stresses that the process of European integration has helped to overcome almost all post war dictatorships on the European continent , both in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe and in Spain, Portugal and Greece. This process and the further development of the European Union as a model of peace are the result of a free decision by the people to determine their own destiny and commit themselves to a shared future.

Lastly, Parliament declares that, under the Helsinki Agreements, no country has the right to decide on the destiny of another country.

The European Parliament adopted by 463 votes to 49, with 33 abstentions, a resolution on the sixtieth anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe on 8 May 1945.

The texted adopted in plenary had been tabled as a joint resolution by the EPP-ED, PES, ALDE, Greens/ALE, IND/DEM and UEN.

Parliament highlights the importance of keeping the memories of the past alive, because there cannot be reconciliation without truth and remembrance. It emphasises at the same time that only a strong Europe can offer a means of overcoming the atrocities of the past.

Renewing its commitment to a peaceful and prosperous Europe founded on the values of respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights, Parliament confirms its united stand against all totalitarian rule of whatever ideological persuasion. It calls on all countries to open their archives pertaining to World War II.

Parliament confirms its united stand against all totalitarian rule of whatever ideological persuasion. It welcomes this first opportunity to commemorate the anniversary with elected Members from all 25 Member States as an expression of the ever closer union of our nations and citizens, who have overcome the divisions between aggressors and victims and between victors and the defeated.

Parliament welcomes the fact that the Central and Eastern European states and peoples can now also enjoy freedom and the right to determine their destiny after so many decades under Soviet domination or occupation or other communist dictatorships. It also welcomes German unification and the fact that ten of the Central and Eastern European states have joined, or will soon join, the European Union.

Moreover, Parliament stresses that the process of European integration has helped to overcome almost all post war dictatorships on the European continent , both in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe and in Spain, Portugal and Greece. This process and the further development of the European Union as a model of peace are the result of a free decision by the people to determine their own destiny and commit themselves to a shared future.

Lastly, Parliament declares that, under the Helsinki Agreements, no country has the right to decide on the destiny of another country.