68 years ago today, the Second World War in Europe was finally over. The military leaders of Germany announced the unconditional surrender of all German armed forces. The war had been systematically prepared by Hitler and the Nazis. It began with the attack on Poland on September 1, 1939, and lasted a whole five-and-a-half years. The Second World War caused destruction and suffering across the whole of Europe and large parts of Asia. More than 50 million people were killed in this war. More than six million Jews were systematically murdered. Many thousands of cities were flattened by bombs and countless works of art were irreparably destroyed.

And why? What were the reasons behind this war? The Nazis were trying ruthlessly to carry out their catastrophic and inhuman plans. They wanted to rule over other people and impose their will on them.

For 68 years now, we have lived in peace. But peace and freedom are not things that can be taken for granted. In the past years, there have been wars all over the world, including in Europe. The democratic states in Europe know that they have to continue to work together so that people and nations in this world can live in harmony with one another.