Policy of peace and German unification (1975–1992)
Policy of peace and German unification (1975–1992)
The role played by Europe as a force for peace
Address given by Willy Brandt on the role of Europe in peacekeeping (Brussels, 24 June 1978)
TexteOn 24 June 1978, at a meeting of European Socialist Parties in Brussels, Willy Brandt, Leader of the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD), delivers an address on Europe as an important factor for peace.
Address given by Willy Brandt to the Bundestag on security policy (Bonn, 22 November 1983)
TexteOn 22 November 1983, Willy Brandt, Leader of the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD), confirms to the Bundestag that the differences between France and the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) with regard to the deployment of Euromissiles do not compromise the good relationship between the two countries. Brandt speaks about the Europeanisation of Europe, which depends on the strengthening of links in Western Europe and on the cooperation required between Western and Eastern Europe.
Address given by Willy Brandt to the Bundestag (Bonn, 4 February 1988)
TexteOn 4 February 1988, Willy Brandt, Honorary Chairman of the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD), emphasises to the Bundestag the importance of Franco-German relations for European integration and, hence, for the development of the European continent as a whole.
‘Willy Brandt: in a world of catastrophes, pockets of prosperity have a precarious existence’ from 30 Jours d’Europe (October 1980)
TexteIn its October 1980 issue, the monthly magazine 30 Jours d’Europe publishes the views of Willy Brandt, former Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) and Member of the European Parliament, on the role of Europe as a factor for peace in the world.
‘Willy Brandt: European policy for the 1980s’ from Die Neue Gesellschaft (1982)
TexteIn 1982, in the German magazine Die Neue Gesellschaft, Willy Brandt, Member of the European Parliament, outlines the measures to be taken in order to redress the loss of confidence of European citizens in the European Community.
Member of the European Parliament (1979–1982)
Appeal made by the Social Democratic Party of Germany at the European elections (30 April 1979)
TexteOn 30 April 1979, the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) calls on citizens to vote at the European elections due to be held on 10 June 1979. Willy Brandt, the Party’s leading candidate, is presented as a champion of the policy of peace for Europe.
Statement by Willy Brandt to the European Parliament (19 July 1979)
TexteOn 19 July 1979, following the first elections to the European Parliament by universal suffrage, Willy Brandt, Chairman of the German Social Democratic Party, encourages Parliament to assume its new responsibilities and raises certain questions to which the European Communities will have to find answers.
Statement by Willy Brandt to the European Parliament (8 July 1981)
TexteOn 8 July 1981, Willy Brandt, Leader of the German Social Democrat Party, announces his backing for a revision and reform of the structures of the European Communities with a view to improving their operation.
Statement by Willy Brandt to the European Parliament (18 November 1981)
TexteOn 18 November 1981, at the European Parliament, Willy Brandt, Leader of the German Social Democrat Party, supports the initiative of the German and Italian Governments which recently presented to their partners within the European Communities a draft European act, known as the Genscher–Colombo Plan, which calls for greater political cooperation among the Ten.
Willy Brandt at the European Parliament (1979)
ImageFrom 1979 to 1982, Willy Brandt was a Member of the European Parliament in Strasbourg.
German reunification and geopolitical change in Europe
Address given by Willy Brandt on inter-German relations (16 September 1989)
TexteOn 16 September 1989, two months before the fall of the Berlin Wall, Willy Brandt, Honorary Chairman of the German Social Democratic Party (SPD), emphasises to the Congress of the Lower Saxony Section of the SPD the importance of the unification of Europe and comments on the role of a united Europe in helping to provide Germany with a future that is founded on a political order guaranteeing peace and security on the European continent.
Address given by Willy Brandt on the occasion of the fall of the Berlin Wall (Berlin, 10 November 1989)
TexteOn 10 November 1989, the day after the fall of the Berlin Wall, Willy Brandt, former Mayor of Berlin and Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG), delivers an address in the John F. Kennedy Platz in which he emphasises the historic dimension of the fall of the Wall and places the event in the context of European unification.
Address given by Willy Brandt on the occasion of the fall of the Berlin Wall (Berlin, 10 November 1989)
SonOn 10 November 1989, the day after the fall of the Berlin Wall, Willy Brandt, former Mayor of Berlin and Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG), delivers an address in the John F. Kennedy Platz in which he emphasises the historic dimension of the fall of the Wall and places the event in the context of European unification.
Address given by Willy Brandt at the Schöneberger Rathaus (Berlin, 10 November 1989)
ImageWilly Brandt in front of the Schöneberger Rathaus the day after the fall of the Berlin Wall.
Address given by Willy Brandt to the Bundestag on the political changes in the GDR and in Eastern Europe (Bonn, 16 November 1989)
TexteOn 16 November 1989, following the collapse of the Communist regimes in Eastern Europe and the fall of the Berlin Wall, Willy Brandt delivers to the Bundestag an address on the political changes in the German Democratic Republic (GDR). The former German Chancellor considers the future relations between the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) and the GDR and places the possible reunification of Germany in the wider context of European unification.
Address given by Willy Brandt to the German Social Democratic Party (SPD) Congress (Berlin, 18 December 1989)
TexteOn 18 December 1989, at the German Social Democratic Party (SPD) Congress, Willy Brandt, Honorary Chairman of the SPD, analyses the situation in the two Germanys following the fall of the Berlin Wall and places the event in its historical context. In his address, the former Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) calls for European unification and emphasises the European Community’s important role vis-à-vis the countries of Eastern Europe.
Address given by Willy Brandt to the Bundestag (Berlin, 20 December 1990)
TexteOn 20 December 1990, at the Reichstag in Berlin, Willy Brandt gives the opening address at the first session of the Bundestag of the reunified Germany.
Address given by Willy Brandt on the new architecture of Europe (Luxembourg, 4 May 1992)
TexteOn 4 May 1992, Willy Brandt, Honorary Chairman of the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD), considers the prospects for the deepening and widening of the European Union following the geopolitical changes that have taken place in Europe and attempts to outline the prospects for the unification of the continent.