Overcoming the Cold War required courage from the people of Central and Eastern Europe and what was then the German Democratic Republic, but it also required the steadfastness of Western partner over many decades when many had long lost hope of integration of the two Germanys and Europe.

Merkel frames the end of the Cold War and German/European reunification as a shared achievement rather than a unilateral Western “victory.” She credits the civic courage of people living under communist regimes—especially in Central and Eastern Europe and the former GDR—while also emphasizing the long-term reliability of Western allies who maintained commitments to freedom, security, and eventual integration even when reunification seemed unrealistic. The quote underscores two themes common in Merkel’s historical reflections: gratitude for the peaceful revolutions of 1989 and the importance of patient, alliance-based politics (NATO/EU partnership) in sustaining hope and making integration possible over decades.