German "Ostpolitik" pioneer Egon Bahr dies at 93

BERLIN (AP) — Egon Bahr, the German statesman who helped pioneer the "Ostpolitik" policy of improving relations with the communist East under West German Chancellor Willy Brandt, has died. He was 93.

Social Democratic party leader Sigmar Gabriel said Thursday that Bahr died overnight.

"Egon Bahr's work for Germany and Europe achieved historic significance even during his lifetime," said Gabriel, adding that Bahr's greatest reward was seeing the Berlin Wall come down in November 1989.

"(Bahr) put his trust in the might of freedom and the power of dialogue, that was the basis for 'change through rapprochement,'" said Gabriel.

As a state secretary under Brandt, Bahr helped guide negotiations between divided East and West Germany, as well as with the Soviets, and played a key role in the negotiation of several treaties. He also served as minister for special affairs, then minister for economic cooperation under Brandt's successor, Helmut Schmidt.

German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier noted that throughout his life, Bahr was convinced that lasting peace in Europe wouldn't be possible without Russia. German news agency dpa reported that Bahr was in Moscow only last month, campaigning for better relations between Germany and Russia.

Ties between the two countries have been strained over Russia's involvement in the Ukraine conflict.

Bahr is survived by his wife Adelheid.


-- (c) Associated Press 2015-08-21

geezzzzzz ... 93 .. not a bad innings

Europe in general and Germany in particular would be featuring different shapes (not only geographically) without Egon Bahr. Another excellent diplomat left the stage; Germany can be proud of his lifelong focus and dedication to what Germany, politically speaking, represents today. He defused many sparkling situations and stated in the early 60s that the Berlin Wall was the beginning of the German re-unification; well, 28 years after the wall went up - it went down again and proved Bahr correct.
As a non-German I salute this top Ostpolitik-diplomat for his achievements; Europe would do much better with politicians and diplomats like him, irrespective of party membership.