Twenty years after the "iron curtain" was torn down, Parliament will hold a formal sitting

On 9 November 1989, the wall of shame that divided Europe fell. Parliament will celebrate this event, which has become a symbol of unification and liberty, without forgetting a long series of tragic events - whether in Germany, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Poland, Romania, or the Baltic countries - which have changed the face of Europe.

"Europe took decades to recover from the second world war. It was divided for almost 50 years. In the west, countries found themselves on the same side, building a common future, even though they had lived the war in very different ways" said President Buzek. "In a way, I represent the countries that were left on the far side. That is what I feel, how I was elected and what I mean today. But I represent the whole of the European Union, as a symbol of our equality and of the fact that we are all jointly responsible for the EU. I am conscious of this enormous responsibility. We shall write the history of Europe together."

On Wednesday 11 November, Václav Havel, former President of the Czech Republic, and Jerzy Buzek, Poland's former Prime Minister, both important players in the democratic changes of 20 years ago, will participate in Parliament's formal session in Brussels. This ceremony will be preceded by a debate between the President and 89 young people, all aged 20, from all EU Member States. They will exchange views on "What Europe means for me". A photo exhibition on the historic events of this time of change in Europe will be inaugurated by President Buzek.

Celebrating the 20th anniversary of Democratic Change in Central and Eastern Europe - Brussels, Wednesday 11 November 2009

10.00h - 11.30h:  "What does Europe mean to me?" - Discussion between 89 young people born in November 1989 from the 27 EU Member States and Parliament's President Buzek and Vice Presidents. (Room A5G-3 // listening room A5G-2)

14.30h Inauguration of the Exhibition: "1989 - 2009: Europe, whole and free" by President Buzek in the presence of former Czech President Vaclav Havel (Passerelle Karamanlis)

15.00h - 16.00h Official ceremony in the plenary chamber

- Introduction by President Buzek

- Short video, produced by Parliament's audiovisual services, on historic events of our time

- Speech by Václav Havel
- Word of thanks by President Buzek

- European Anthem

Press Conference

Immediately after the formal sitting, EP-President Jerzy Buzek and Václav Havel will give a press conference in the Anna Politkovskaya press room.