Obama: We must remember Wall lessons

Berlin kicked off celebrations on Friday of the 25th anniversary of the fall of the Wall, which culminate on Sunday with a party to mark the historic event which led to German reunification.

"Like many Americans, I will never forget the scenes of East Berliners courageously taking to the streets, pushing past the guards and tearing down the wall that for so long had separated them from family and friends and the free world," Obama said in a statement.

"Twenty-five years later, we celebrate the progress that was made possible by the events of that November night."

Obama mentioned Russia as he warned that more needs to be done to create a "shared vision" of Europe.

"But as Russia's actions against Ukraine remind us, we have more work to do to fully realize our shared vision of a Europe that is whole, free and at peace," he said, referring to the crisis in Ukraine.

"In Europe and beyond — wherever citizens seek to determine their own destiny — we will be guided by the lessons of Berlin."