About Us

‘Reconciliation of European Histories’ an informal group of Members of the European Parliament

Reunification of Europe requires reconciliation of the dominant historical narratives in different parts of the Continent. Following the enlargement we face the challenge of including the experience of the post-communist nations into common narrative of the European History.

It is not an easy task. Much has been done, as there are remnants of European historical mythology introduced from aside while a number of European nations were still deprived of having a voice. During the 6th Legislature, the Parliament decided to support the establishment of the “House of European History”. It proclaimed 23 August as the European Day of Remembrance for Victims of Stalinism and Nazism and adopted a Resolution on the end of the Second World War in Europe, on European Conscience and Totalitarianism and on the 50th anniversary of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution and its historical meaning for Europe.

In the European Parliament and under auspices of the Presidency and the European Commission public hearings were held on crimes of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes committed by totalitarian regimes.

Yet the task of true reunification of European history based on truth and remembrance is not completed. We have to continue work on converging the views of all the Europe about the history of the 20th century. Europeans have to understand that Iron Curtain not only excluded the captive nations from our common European home, but it also excluded 50 years of our true history from the European history.

Reconciliation of European Histories – an informal group of Members of European Parliament – provides a platform for the MEPs to play an active role in improving reconciliation and converging the European historical narratives. The group acts jointly issuing statements and opinion articles, holds periodic discussions and sponsors events. It creates opportunities for a positive and constructive communication of the most disputed aspects of the European History.

We aspire to develop a common approach regarding crimes of totalitarian regimes, inter alia totalitarian communist regime of the USSR, to ensure continuity of the process of evaluation of totalitarian crimes and equal treatment and non-discrimination of victims of all totalitarian regimes.

We promote public awareness on the crimes of totalitarian regimes at the EU level, to develop cultural and educational projects, to provide support for European and national research and education projects.

Dealing with totalitarian crimes is a complex and sensitive issue. Europeans and their neighbours have different ways of managing their historical memory and have to find yet their own way to achieve reconciliation with their past. The European Union is in itself an example of reconciliation. The EU has limited powers to deal with these issues “from above”. However it can facilitate this process as much as possible by promoting discussions and by providing opportunities for mutual exchange.

BELDER Bastiaan, EFD

GÁL Kinga, PPE

GUTIERREZ-CORTINES Cristina, PPE

HANKISS Ágnes, PPE

HÖKMARK Gunnar, PPE

JÄÄTTEENMÄKI Anneli, ALDE

JUVIN Philippe, PPE

KALNIETE Sandra, PPE

KARIŅŠ Arturs Krišjānis, PPE

KELAM Tunne, PPE

KOVATCHEV Andrey, PPE

LAMASSOURE Alain, PPE