19/12/2005 (Agence Europe) - Hans-Gert Pottering, President of the EPP-ED group at the European Parliament, opened an exhibition in Strasbourg on 15 December commemorating the death of Alcide de Gasperi in a ceremony attended by Giulio Andreotti, Maria Romana de Gasperi and Franco Frattini. Hans-Gert Pottering described the role played by Alcide de Gasperi, one of the founding fathers of Europe along with Robert Schuman and Konrad Adenauer, in working towards the unity of Europe. Fifty years on, said Pottering, European unity is well and truly alive. He explained 'for Alcide de Gasperi, the guiding principle was 'unity in multiplicity'. For him, the preservation of national identities and the equality of states were the essential conditions for European unification.' Pottering added: 'I am certain that also the proposed European Constitution would be a part of his vision of European unification, because with the Constitution, the European Union would be strengthened as a Community of values, with a guaranteed future of peace, freedom and security.'