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The task of abolishing the division of our continent and of building what in the Soviet Union we call
“the Common European Home” can only be achieved by a new type of international cooperation,
and by overcoming outdated dogmas and distrust through greater mutual understanding, greater
trust and a major reduction in the capacity to wage war. In our view, the East and West are equally
responsible for making sure that the unprecedented opportunity that now exists for establishing
a Europe that is united from the Atlantic to the Urals does not go unheeded. Our continent is
undoubtedly destined to provide the world with a new model for collaboration and international,
de-militarised, non-ideological, democratic coexistence. The events of recent years provide a basis
for hoping that Europe will prove itself capable of rising to this historic challenge. Each and every
European, each country and every European organisation must make their individual contribution
to so worthy a task.
Spanish-Soviet relations, based upon longstanding feelings of friendship and the mutual
appreciation of our peoples, are a fine example of two states contributing to building up this new
European friendship. Mikhail Gorbachev has asked me to pass on his firm belief in the ongoing
development of fruitful links between the Soviet Union and Spain, his feelings of heartfelt
friendliness towards your country, and his wish for peace and prosperity for the Spanish people.
Mikhail Gorbachev was General
Secretary of the Communist Party of
the Soviet Union from 1985 to 1989,
the year in which acceded to the
Presidency of the Soviet Union (until
1991).
—
Extract from the speech given on
the occasion of receiving the Prince
of Asturias Award for International
Cooperation on 21/10/1989.
Sergei Romanovski,
on behalf of Mikhail
Gorbachev
—
Prince of Asturias
Award for International
Cooperation 1989
21
st
O
ctober
1989
