On 7th May the European Parliament marked the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe in a ceremony in plenary with three veterans. "Eighty years after the guns fell silent across Europe, we honour the courage of those who fought, and the sacrifice of those who fell. We remember not just the end of a war, but the birth of our Union. The most powerful tribute to those who sacrificed their lives in this war lies not only in remembrance, but in resolve. In our determination to stand together and say, clearly and firmly: never again,” EP President Metsola said.

European Council President António Costa thanked the veterans for their “sacrifice and commitment to peace”, regretting that, today, “we cannot celebrate peace in peace”, after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.&nbsp;

Three veterans of the war – Mr Robert Chot, a 102-year-old Belgian veteran of the Battle of the Ardennes; Mr Janusz Komorowski a Polish veteran of the liberation of Poland and now 96 years old; and Mr Janusz Maksymowicz, also Polish and now 95 years old, who participated in the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising - addressed MEPs.

Commemorations of World War II

EP Plenary session - 80 years after the end of World War II - freedom, democracy and security as the heritage of Europe

Commemoration of the 80 anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe: European Anthem and closing of the ceremony

Commemoration of the 80 anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe: speeches by War World II Veterans

Commemoration of the 80 anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe: Speech by António COSTA, President of the European Council

EP Plenary session - Commemoration 80th anniversary end of World War II in Europe

Commemoration of the 80 anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe: speech by Roberta METSOLA, EP President

Commemoration of the 80 anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe: opening of the ceremony and commemorative video-clip

Commemoration of the 80 anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe: extracts from the meeting between Roberta METSOLA, EP President, and World War II veterans, and extracts from the ceremony

Commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe: atmosphere shots in the hemicycle ahead of the ceremony

Commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe - Wreath Laying Ceremony

Commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe - Roberta METSOLA, EP President meets with war veterans

Commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe - Eurocorps flags raising ceremony with the presence of Roberta METSOLA, EP President, and Antonio COSTA, President of the European Council: extracts from the event

Commemoration of the 80 anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe

Clip: Landscapes of memory - Commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe

Infoclip: Remains of the Warsaw Ghetto wall across the city (Poland)

Infoclip: Omaha Beach and the American Cemetery of Colleville-sur-Mer (France)

Infoclip: Bundestag district in Berlin (Germany)

Roberta METSOLA, EP President, at the 80th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge: extracts from the arrivals and meeting at the Senningen Castle (Luxembourg)

Roberta METSOLA, EP President, at the 80th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge: extracts from the ceremony in Bastogne (Belgium)

Roberta METSOLA, EP President, at the 80th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge: extracts from the ceremony at the American Military Cemetery of Hamm (Luxembourg)

Infoclip: European Centre of deported resistance members - Former Natzweiler concentration camp - Struthof

Commemoration of the 77th anniversary of the Cibeno nazi massacre in Campo Fossoli: statements by the Italian authorities

Commemoration of the 77th anniversary of the Cibeno nazi massacre in Campo Fossoli: general views and wreath laying ceremony in presence of Ursula von der LEYEN, President of the European Commission and David SASSOLI, EP President

Commemoration of the 77th anniversary of the Cibeno nazi massacre in Campo Fossoli: Statement by David SASSOLI, President of the European Parliament

Commemoration of the 77th anniversary of the Cibeno nazi massacre in Campo Fossoli: doorstep by David SASSOLI, EP President

Commemoration of the 77th anniversary of the Cibeno nazi massacre with David SASSOLI, EP President and Ursula von der LEYEN, EC President: visit of the Concentration camp of Fossoli, extracts from the ceremony and visit of the Museum

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