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This segment of the wall was contributed to the Atlantic Council at a ceremony in Leipzig, Germany on October 8 by the energy company Verbundnetz Gas (VNG), marking the 25th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. This special evening is hosted by the German Embassy in Washington, the Atlantic Council and supported by the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung .

Signed by individuals who played historic roles in bringing the Cold War to a successful end, this iconic piece of history will remain in Washington as a permanent reminder both of the history and the continued relevance of the transatlantic bond.

Signatories include former German Chancellor Helmut Kohl and his National Security Advisor Horst Teltschik, former US President George H. W. Bush, former leader of the Soviet Union Mikhail Gorbachev, leader of Poland’s Solidarity movement Lech Walesa; and German President Joachim Gauck. Most recently German Chancellor Angela Merkel added her signature in support of this project. This week, after a farewell ceremony in Leipzig, the piece will embark on its transatlantic journey to Washington where a final signature will be added by former National Security Advisor General Brent Scowcroft.

In bringing this segment of the Wall to Washington, we seek not only to salute the signatories and what they represent, but also to remind ourselves of the strength of our past and future collaboration.