Former German Chancellor

The Board of Trustees honored Dr. Helmut Kohl along with and George H.W. Bush and Mikhail Gorbachev; "for his contribution, as he strongly advocated German unity during his tenure in government, thus the full sovereignty of Germany."

More than 10,000 guests were present on Mount Rasdorf for the awards ceremony, and subsequent public festival which was held to celebrate the unified Germany.

Former President of the Soviet Union

The Board of Trustees honored Mikhail Gorbachev, along with Dr. Helmut Kohl and George H.W. Bush; "for his contribution, as he strongly advocated German unity during his tenure in government, thus the full sovereignty of Germany."

More than 10,000 guests were present on Mount Rasdorf for the awards ceremony, and subsequent public festival which was held to celebrate the unified Germany.

Former President of the United States

The Board of Trustees honored George H.W. Bush along with Mikhail Gorbachev and Dr. Helmut Kohl; "for his contribution, as he strongly advocated German unity during his tenure in government, thus the full sovereignty of Germany."

More than 10,000 guests were present on Mount Rasdorf for the awards ceremony, and subsequent public festival which was held to celebrate the unified Germany.

Former President of the Czech Republic

The Board of Trustees honored Václav Havel "for his decades-long, exemplary courageous and ultimately successful commitment to peace, freedom and the unimpeachability of human rights far beyond the borders of his homeland." The award ceremony took place at the German Embassy in Prague. In the presence of former Foreign Minister Hans-Dietrich Genscher and then German Chancellery Minister Rudolf Seiters, the award also commemorated the flight of thousands of GDR citizens from the Prague Embassy to the West on September 30, 1989.

Representatively honored were Freya Klier, Erhard Neubert and Konrad Weiß.

The Board of Trustees acknowledged the civil rights movement of the GDR : "Germany owes an immense debt to the courage of its citizens. The historical legacy of the civil rights movement is one of the most glorious chapters in German history of which we can be collectively proud. [...] The civil rights activists of the GDR, the men and women who helped bring about the end of the GDR in 1989, also stand in the wake of June 17, 1953. Today, many have already forgotten about the courage that was required until 1989 to openly declare one's support for freedom and democracy."

Former German Chancellor

The Board of Trustees recognized Helmut Schmidt "for his steadfastness on the NATO Double Decision and for his role in the CSCE process." Both were prerequisites for the end of German and European division. [...] "Indeed, the NATO double decision ultimately goes back to your initiative and suggestion. And it is in keeping with your character and attitude in political action that you did not bow to the pressure of a contrary public opinion with this decision, which you recognized to be correct. [...] The signing of the Helsinki Final Act 35 years ago was a milestone on the way to overcoming the Iron Curtain."

Former Prime Minister of Spain

The Board of Trustees honored Felipe Gonzáles "for his unwavering solidarity with the Germans in their desire for unity in freedom. Trust is an indispensable foundation for the future if Europe is to succeed. Only a few [...] in the days of November and December 1989 expressed their confidence in Germany as firmly and unshakably as you did, Mr. Gonzáles. Your demonstration of trust in your neighbor, friend and partner in Europe remains as an important role model, both now and for the future of our continent."

Former President of Poland

The Board of Trustees recognized Lech Wałęsa for his "historic service to the Gdansk Uprising for freedom and democracy, which was an essential foundation for a common peaceful Europe in the present and the future." Dr. Norbert Lammert, former President of the Bundestag, emphasized in his laudatory speech: "President Wałęsa, like few other personalities, you stand for this process of change in Europe over the last 25, 30 years."

Former Prime Minister of Hungary

The Board of Trustees honored Miklós Németh "for the courageous commitment that involved an incalculable personal risk as head of the Hungarian government, who was responsible for dismantling the murderous border barriers that separated his country and a part of Europe from the free parts of our continent. Miklós Neméth paved the way with his decision, upon which Europe is peacefully united under the conditions of freedom, democracy and law. [...] He made a pathbreaking contribution to ending the East-West confrontation."

President of the German Bundestag

The Board of Trustees praised Wolfgang Schäuble as "the architect of the Unification Treaty of 1990 and a great European. [...] Today, as then, Germany and Europe, democracy, peace and freedom are his guiding principles. [...] Wolfgang Schäuble has always unwaveringly formed wise German and European policy with a sensible pragmatism, professionalism and knowledge, credibility and straightforwardness. Siding with freedom has been one of the basic coordinates of his political action from the very beginning."

Prof. Dr. Richard Schröder, Theologian and Philosopher, served in 1990 in the only freely elected Volkskammer (People's Chamber) as Chairman of the SPD-Volkskammerfraktion (SPD parliamentary group) and was involved in the preparation of German unity.

The Board of Trustees honored Dr. Richard Schröder as a "highly deserving, upright patriot for whom the unity of Germany and Europe was and is a matter close to his heart and whose name stands for effective cooperation between democrats across party lines; [...] a Germany-understanding person‘ with extensive knowledge and experience in East and West, in church, science and politics; an outstanding representative of a united Germany, whose word carries weight".

Songwriter

The Board of Trustees honored Wolf Biermann "as an artist and passionate fighter for peace and freedom who, unimpressed by ideologically entrenched lies, remained true to himself throughout the decades of his life. With the uncomfortable truths in his songs and literary texts, he is an unrelenting champion of democracy and the Western community of values. ... The expatriation of Wolf Biermann from the GDR in November 1976 [...] was one of the most formative events for the GDR opposition and the initial spark for an increasingly open criticism of the SED regime."

Former President of the European Commission

The laudator, Bundestag President and Point-Alpha-Award winner Dr. Wolfgang Schäuble, praised Jean-Claude Juncker as a "convinced European who has led the European Union through troubled waters, among other things through his commitment to the common currency, and as a bridge builder between the different nations and interests in Europe." In his acceptance speech, Juncker emphasized, "I enjoy standing on a border that no longer exists. [...] We must take a greater interest in each other. European integration is not yet complete."