MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

21.9.2005

to wind up the debate on the statement by the Commission
pursuant to Rule 103(2) of the Rules of Procedure
by Bronisław Geremek, Jerzy Buzek, Janusz Lewandowski, Janusz Onyszkiewicz, Dariusz Rosati, Wojciech Roszkowski, Jacek Saryusz-Wolski, Brian Crowley, Guntars Krasts, Ģirts Valdis Kristovskis, Cristiana Muscardini, Grażyna Staniszewska, and Jan Jerzy Kułakowski
on behalf of the PPE-DE, PSE, ALDE and UEN Groups
on the 25th Anniversary of Solidarity and its message for Europe

B6‑0504/2005

Motion for a European Parliament resolution on the 25th Anniversary of Solidarity and its message for Europe

The European Parliament,

–  having regard to Rule 103(2) of its Rules of Procedure,

A.  whereas the founding fathers of the European Union proclaimed that the unification of Europe would not be complete until the enslavement of Central and Eastern Europe ceased to exist, and the Iron Curtain was shattered,

B.  whereas the enlargement of the European Union on 1 May 2004 was an act unifying Europe around common values and aims which united countries, nations and citizens of the European Union,

C.  believing that the accomplishment of the aims of the European Union should be reinforced by conscientious actions of nations and citizens of Europe seeking freedom and solidarity,

D.  recalling that the mass strikes led by workers which took place in many Polish cities in July and August 1980 were an expression of rejection of a system of totalitarian enslavement,

E.  recalling that the strike under the leadership of Lech Wałęsa, which took place between 14 and 31 August 1980 in the shipyard of Gdańsk, under the eyes of Europe and the entire world, was conducted with extraordinary bravery and determination in the name of fundamental European values, and that the ‘21 postulates’ formulated by the shipyard workers from Gdańsk opened a new chapter in the European fight for ‘bread and freedom’,

F.  expressing its esteem for the Gdańsk Accords signed on 31 August 1980 which, in a totalitarian system, created a 500-day space of freedom for the independent and self-governing trade union Solidarność, with its 10 million members, and gave rise to a powerful citizens’ movement uniting all significant social spheres in Poland,

G.  recalling the message to the working people of Eastern Europe addressed by the First Convention of Solidarność in the name of the common fight for human rights in that part of Europe,

H.  recalling that Polish society defended its rights and beliefs with courage and determination, particularly in the face of the martial law introduced by the Communist government on 13 December 1981 against Solidarność, and against Polish society’s aspirations of freedom,

I.  recalling the broad recognition of and support for the events of August 1980, as well as the support for the Solidarność movement among free societies in Europe during the period of the trade union’s legal existence, as well as after the declaration of martial law, and expressing the belief that the historic impulse of Solidarność was one of the most important moments in the formation of a European public space,

J.  recognising that the Solidarność movement applied peaceful means in the fight against a totalitarian system, and was one of the most significant movements in Europe which rejected violence,

K.  acknowledging that the Polish motto ‘there is no liberty without Solidarity’ is important for the whole of Europe and the world,

L.  recognising that the peaceful success of Solidarność had an influence on other movements fighting for human rights, and believing that it is still a role model for countries that are deprived of freedom,

M.  expressing the belief that the historic events of August 1980 were significant for the whole of Europe, and that the strike of shipyard workers in Gdańsk, as well as the Gdańsk Accords, may be treated as the beginning of the collapse of the Communist system, the end of the Cold War, the end of the division of Europe, and the fall of the Berlin Wall,

1.  Expresses its deepest esteem for and gratitude to the Polish workers and to all people of Central and Eastern Europe who fought for human rights, freedom, solidarity and the unity of Europe;

2.  Recognises that in order to commemorate this effort and to place it in the collective memory of Europe, 31 August is to be celebrated as the Day of Freedom and Solidarity;

3.  Calls upon the Commission and the Council to take action to ensure that celebration of this anniversary is part of European education and culture;

4.  Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission, the Council and the parliaments and governments of the Member States.