IT takes a special occasion to bring world leaders together, and the 70th anniversary of the D-day landings has certainly been a special occasion, with many fine words spoken by heads of state.

But if the commemoration of D-Day, and the tributes paid to a special generation, are to mean anything, the fine words must be backed up by actions.

Fintan Christopher Donohoe, one of the 2,000 D-Day veterans who joined those world leaders, said he had never wanted to talk about the war but felt it was important to do so now lest young men get the idea that war is a great adventure.

And he is right. We should talk about it. Learn from it. Avoid it in the future.

So when the 70th anniversary has passed, it is to be hoped that the world leaders – whether it is Barack Obama, Vladimir Putin, Petro Poroshenko, Angela Merkel, or David Cameron – find themselves thinking more deeply about the sacrifice of the 10,000 soldiers who fell on D-Day.

French president Francois Hollande used the anniversary to call on people around the world to fight threats to peace with the “same vision, the same courage”, as those who fought on D- Day.

During the commemorations in France, Russia’s president, Mr Putin, was brought together with Ukrainian president-elect, Mr Poroshenko, before they joined other dignitaries for lunch.

It was no more than a 15-minute meeting. It may well have been reluctant. But, after a four-month conflict which has raised tensions around the world, it was a start.

It may be idealistic but the most meaningful tribute the world could pay to the heroes of D-Day is to work harder to understand and tolerate the fears and perspectives of other countries.The Northern Echo: