German president urges ‘more cooperation’ in virus fight on WWII anniversary

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier gives a speech during a wreath laying ceremony to mark the 75th anniversary of the end of World War Two, at the Neue Wache Memorial in Berlin, Germany, May 8, 2020. Photo by HANNIBAL HANSCHKE / POOL / AFP

BERLIN, Germany — The world must draw lessons from the past and work together to beat the coronavirus, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier said in a landmark speech Friday marking 75 years since the end of World War II in Europe.

“For us Germans, ‘never again’ means ‘never again alone,'” Steinmeier said at a solemn Berlin ceremony.

“If we don’t hold Europe together, including during and after this pandemic, then we are not living up to May 8,” he said.

“We want more, not less cooperation in the world — also in the fight against the pandemic.”

Europe and the United States mark 75 years since the end of World War II on Friday, May 8, 2020 in a sombre mood as the coronavirus pandemic forced the cancellation of elaborate ceremonies even as Berlin declares an exceptional holiday for the first time.