“Through his leadership, Mikhail Gorbachev contributed greatly to ending the Cold War, bringing down the Iron Curtain that had for so long divided our continent. His speech in the Palais de l'Europe in Strasbourg in 1989 was a seminal moment in the history of the Council of Europe. By referring to a "common European home", he envisaged the enlargement of our organisation in line with our founding freedoms and values, the protection of which Ireland has placed at the centre of our Presidency. At the time of his death, we think of his family and friends and remember his valued legacy.”