20 years of German Unity

• Photo Exhibition: From Peaceful Revolution to German Unity
  
  

Panel Discussion to commemorate start of the "Two-plus-Four" process in Ottawa 20 years ago

Twenty years ago, on February 13, 1990, Ottawa was host to the Open Skies Conference. During this conference, the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG), the German Democratic Republic (GDR) and the four Allied Powers agreed to enter into the so-called "Two-plus-Four" negotiations. The resulting Treaty on the Final Settlement with Respect to Germany established the boundaries of the unified country (FRG+GDR+Berlin), confirmed Germany's internationally recognized border with Poland, stipulated the complete withdrawal of Soviet troops, and gave Germany back its full sovereignty.

To commemorate this historic moment, a panel discussion took place on February 15, 2010, at the very location of the original conference. Key figures at the time recalled the historic events and helped the Canadian audience recognize Ottawa's role in Germany's progression toward unification.

The Federal Republic of Germany was represented by Dieter Kastrup, at the time Deputy Foreign Minister; the former GDR by then Deputy Foreign Minister Hans-Jürgen Misselwitz; and host country Canada by then Prime Minister Brian Mulroney. The event was moderated by the distinguished broadcast journalist Don Newman.

“The next morning, a meeting took place in the residence of the German Ambassador [in Ottawa] between the four Western countries: the USA, France, Great Britain, and the Federal Republic of Germany. The goal was to prepare for our meetings with the Soviet Union and the German Democratic Republic to discuss the launch of the 'Two-plus-Four' talks. ... Over breakfast, Baker, Dumas, Hurd and I agreed to a Western position for the upcoming negotiations about Germany's unification and about the framework of the 'Two-plus-Four' process.“ 

Hans-Dietrich Genscher in his autobiography “Erinnerungen“ published by Siedler Verlag in 1995 (inofficial translation by Embassy)

Chapter in Autobiography about Ottawa Negotiations, Hans-Dietrich Genscher (German language)