On the 35th anniversary of the Pan-European Picnic that paved the way for the fall of the Berlin Wall, commemoration events were held in Hungary. German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier expressed gratitude to Hungary for its role in ending divisions in Germany and Europe. The historic event took place in Sopron, and though Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban was absent, Hungary’s president, Tamas Sulyok, was in attendance.
Steinmeier’s Gratitude
Steinmeier called the Picnic a “milestone on the path to German reunification” and praised Hungary for its contribution to unity. He urged Hungary, as the current EU Council president, to strengthen the bloc and work towards common solutions for the future.
Significance of the Picnic
In 1989, the Picnic saw a symbolic opening of the Austrian-Hungarian border, allowing East Germans from the GDR to cross freely. This event, organized by the Pan-European Movement and Hungarian Democratic Forum, marked a turning point towards European unity and ultimately led to the collapse of the East German government.