“Europe should be imbued with a sense of the common yet diverse cultural heritage that each country brings” The conductor and pianist Daniel Barenboim opens the “Discourses on Europe” with a stirring speech

CES/07/8

Brussels, 30 January 2007

“Europe should be imbued with a sense of the common yet diverse cultural heritage that each country brings” The conductor and pianist Daniel Barenboim opens the “Discourses on Europe” with a stirring speech

In attendance of 150 guests from political institutions and civil society, among them numerous members of the European Parliament, Barenboim spoke on Europe’s commitment to the Middle East and on the power of music as a means for mutual understanding and acceptance.

With regard to the situation in the Middle East, Barenboim stressed, that “it is critical for Europe to reassess its role as an important mediating power for present and future generations through education and culture.” He continued, that “there is a necessity to integrate the Israeli and the Palestinian state into some form of European Context. Peace in the Middle East is a rational, reasonable dream.”

Europe’s discourse should not be limited merely to the political and economic necessities. “With the economic and political development of countries like China, India, and Brazil, it is important for Europe to remember that its cultural capital is its greatest resource, the one through which it will it be able to play an active role in leading the world in the next fifty years.”

The President of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso opened the subsequent discussion. As debaters appeared EESC President Dimitris Dimitriadis, the Vice President of the European Parliament, Rodi Kratsa-Tsagaropoulou, the President of the Bulgarian Parliament, Georgi Pirinski, Jo Leinen MEP und Anna Michalkova, a young European from the history-network EUSTORY.

In his closing words, Barroso expressed his thanks to Daniel Barenboim and to the initiative “A Soul for Europe” for this important encounter and for providing the opportunity to listen to further well-named representatives from Europe’s intellectual and cultural spheres in the future. Barroso once more emphasised the relevance of culture in the context of European politics: “Europe is an empire united by common ideas, not by force.” With regard to Barenboim’s statements on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Barroso said, “that some of the political leaders of the two sides may want peace, but they do are not ready to pay the price. If that happens, Europe will support them.”

The President of the European Parliament Hans-Gert Pöttering added that Europe can contribute to reconciliation in the Middle East „by talking about our experience in Europe. There is no guarantee for success, but to do nothing would mean to bear the heaviest guilt. This is why we are obliged to actively get involved.“

The “Discourses on Europe” are an activity of the initiative “A Soul for Europe” in cooperation with the EWSA and EUSTORY, the history-network of young Europeans.

The full text of the speech is available following this link:

http://www.berlinerkonferenz.net/297.0.html

Berlin Conference Initiative:

www.berlinerkonferenz.eu

For more details on the event please contact Ms. Susanne Rindt, at Berlin Conference Office, presse@berlinerkonferenz.eu; Tel.: +49 30 2639 229-12

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