MOSCOW, May 7 (RIA Novosti) - Germans have special obligations before Russia due to enormous losses suffered by Russia during World War II, announced German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder in an interview with the Bild newspaper he gave together with the Russian President.
None other people suffered as many hardships from the treacherous war waged by Nazi Germany as the Russian people did," Schroeder said. "More than 20 million Russians lost their lives during World War II. We, the Germans, must not forget this fact."
Schroeder acknowledged President Putin's invitation to participate in the celebration of the Great Victory as "the evidence of trust in German people."
"My participation indicates that the German-Russian reconciliation has acquired a new quality. We must not forget the past and the suffering that had been caused by Germans, but had a heavy toll on both sides. Remembering that, we must make sure it never happens again. I want the Russians and the Germans to become friends to ensure that the horrors of the latest world war never occurred again. I consider it a historic task," Schroeder announced.
Addressing the young generation, Schroeder said, "the period of 1933-1945 was the most shameful page of the German history. We must do everything possible to avoid making the same terrible mistakes in the future."
The German Chancellor believes at present Germany is protected against the mistakes that led to Nazi dictatorship and the ensuing tragedy in the past.
"Germany today is a stable social democracy which can defend itself. It is also solidly integrated in the European Union and NATO," Schroeder said.
