Laudation (extract) by Hans-Dietrich Genscher

Laudation (extract)

Speaker Hans Dietrich Genscher on the laureate:

‘They cut the barbed wire fences at the Hungarian–Austrian border. All of Europe held its breath. Nobody was able to believe that this was really possible: an open border between East and West. It was possible. Daring to take this step, dear Mr. Horn, is your achievement. […] By doing so you have laid a foundation stone for the unity of Europe.’