On 29 January at the initiative of Member of the European Parliament Rasa Juknevičienė and members of the European Parliament gathered for an informal parliamentary group For the Remembrance of Europe, which will act on the basis of the European Parliament resolution on the importance of European remembrance for the future of Europe.
“The aim of this group is to create a platform, which would allow experts, historians, academic, national and EU representatives to exchange opinions with the aim of establishing a common view of the crimes of totalitarian regimes. Furthermore, we will seek opportunities to initiate a common European Union strategy for the remembrance of Europe, encourage the European Commission’s support for historical remembrance projects in the member states,” R. Juknevičienė noted in the group’s founding meeting.
It will also be sought to ensure EU financial support for EU historical remembrance projects, organising conferences, discussions and meetings aimed at historical remembrance.
According to her, the passed resolution has sent a strong signal by the European Parliament and encouraged discussions not only in Central European countries (resolutions were passed in the Polish and Latvian parliaments) but also in Southern Europe – the Portuguese parliament, which held debates on passing a similar resolution.
The European Parliament resolution also led to a strong reaction from the Kremlin.
“We see Russia’s efforts to rewrite history, exploit it as an element of information warfare, dividing the European Union, attacking neighbouring countries, spreading lies. Stalin is clearly being rehabilitated in Russia, the communists’ crimes are concealed, entire nations that have a critical view of the Kremlin are accused of anti-Semitism,” MEP R. Juknevičienė emphasised.
According to her, even today, the dividing lines of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact remain in the East – Moldova, Georgia and Ukraine are separated. “This can all be overcome with the help of the Trio Strategy,” the MEP said.
According to her, across Europe, we face rising intolerance, radicalism and anti-Semitism, which must be opposed. The politician also emphasised that Europe’s resilience to modern threats must be strengthened. As a reminder, the European Parliament resolution initiated by MEP R. Juknevičienė on the importance of European remembrance for the future of Europe was passed on September 19, 2019. It received 535 MEP votes in favour, 66 against and 52 abstained.
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