Gorbachev met with the residents of Berlin – Republic

Source: AFP

On the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, the last Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev met with residents of the German capital at Checkpoint Charlie.

” I am proud that I have my own small contribution in the fact that today we can live as we live, “- said Gorbachev. He recalled his first visit, in 1966., In Berlin, which was then – as noted – “grim, ravaged the city.”

Gorbachev appealed to politicians not to forget the history and pulled out of her conclusions. As long as “The Germans and the Russians understand each other and remain friends, so long in Europe, there is peace” – he said, adding that efforts should be made to the relationship between Berlin and Moscow remained good. Gorbachev recently greatly angered Western public opinion, defending the policies of President Vladimir Putin and opting for staying Crimea with Russia.

At Checkpoint Charlie, one of several former transitions between West Berlin and the eastern part of the city, hundreds of people gathered, who applauded Gorbachev. Currently, the site is a museum of the Berlin Wall.

On Saturday, Russian politician will take part in an international conference organized by Cinema for Peace Foundation dedicated to the threat of the return of the Cold War.

Gorbachev took over in 1985 General Secretary of the CPSU. Led by his policies of perestroika and glasnost was one of the factors that led to the end of the Cold War, the fall of the Berlin Wall in consequence, a year later, the reunification of Germany.

The highlight of the anniversary celebration will be on Sunday Picnic Civic with President Joachim Gauck and Chancellor Angela Merkel in the vicinity of the Brandenburg Gate.

On Friday evening in Berlin burned more than 7 thousand. lanterns set on a 15-kilometer stretch along the former course of the wall. On Sunday lanterns are released into the air.

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Gorbachev met with the residents of Berlin – Republic