“On 23 August 1939, Germany and the Soviet Union signed the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, setting the stage for Nazi and Soviet violence and occupation across Europe and allowing the adversaries to carve out spheres of influence in Eastern Europe.

This day, 85 years later, we honour and pay tribute to those who fell victims to totalitarian regimes around the world, to the courageous men and women who risked and lost their lives to fight against oppressive powers, and to those who continue to stand against such regimes today. It is essential for us to preserve historical memory and remember the horrors of totalitarian crimes in order to come to terms with the past and ensure it does not repeat itself.
Democracy is an asset we can't take for granted. It needs to be constantly nurtured. In recent years we have witnessed it being targeted by forces who wish to unravel the fabric of our values. We have also seen at our borders a brutal war of aggression against Ukraine.

No one ever again should suffer under a totalitarian regime. In May this year, Europeans elected their new representatives to the European Parliament, giving them a clear mandate to continue to protect the fundamental values upon which the European Union was built.
Only empowered by unity and respect towards each other, our history and views for the future we can continue to uphold democracy, rule of law, peace, and freedom that lie at the core of this Union.''

Statement by Vice-President for Values and Transparency, Věra Jourová, Commissioner for Justice, Didier Reynders, and Commissioner for Equality, Helena Dalli