Prague - Germany's former foreign minister Hans-Dietrich Genscher returned Wednesday to Prague for the 20th anniversary of his own role in a key event of post-war history, and used the visit to make an implicit case for the EU's Lisbon reform treaty. Genscher, 82, came to Prague to mark his famous September 30, 1989 visit to the then-West German embassy to tell cheering East German refugees he had reached a deal for them to be able to travel West.
In a speech, Genscher called on Europe to speak with a single voice by drawing on the unprecedented level of unity it achieved 20 years ago when Communism collapsed.
Genscher's appeal appeared to be directed at Czech President Vaclav Klaus, a fierce opponent of the European Union's reform Lisbon Treaty, an accord that Genscher described as key to Europe's future role on the world stage.
He urged "everyone in Prague" to "never forget that the happiest hour in Europe, the year of a great fight for freedom in 1989, is not just a year of remembrance but also an obligation to further deeds."
Klaus's signature to the Lisbon Treaty is the last step required for the Czech Republic's ratification of the pact, which is aimed at boosting the EU's global standing by streamlining decision-making in the enlarged 27-member bloc.
The Czech Republic, with Ireland and Poland, are the final three countries that have not yet ratified the pact - which under EU rules must be unanimously approved by all members for it to come to force.
In a private lecture televised on the CT24 news channel, Genscher said that Europe must unite in order to play a major role in shaping the post-Cold War era.
"We cannot reach that if we will sing with many voices and not like a chorus that sings the same song," he said in German, which was translated into Czech by the news station.
He urged Europe to respond in unison to US President Barack Obama's efforts to rid the world of nuclear weapons.
Later at the German embassy, just as rays of sunshine pierced through an overcast sky, Genscher posed for photographs on a balcony, which now carries his name.
In September 1989, thousands of East German refugees had packed the West German embassy grounds in a bid to reach freedom in the West.
It was on the balcony 20 years ago where Genscher delivered the good news before he was drowned out by a roar of wild cheering and applause.
"Below me were people who gave up everything," Genscher recalled. "Back then we were humble and felt respect for those who embarked on that journey."
The refugees boarded trains that carried them to Hof, West Germany, via East Germany.
Genscher said that he did not anticipate the brief moment to become a significant milestone in the events that soon led to a collapse of Europe's Communist regimes and Germany's reunification.
"I call on Europeans 20 years later to find a new European impulse" of unity, he said.
