I have now been living in Berlin for 15 years. A city whose reunification was made possible only by Germany’s integration in the EU. A reunification that gave hope to many people around the world. I want Berlin to make even greater use of this potential as a force for Europe and for peace. For that reason I endeavour to make Berlin a refuge for human rights defenders, to strengthen the European movement and to use our experience to help other countries make the transition from authoritarian regimes to democracy.