Unity and diversity” “

The European Union is about to be enlarged and, in one fell swoop, to extend its frontiers to the countries that were once the satellites of Moscow and to the islands of the Mediterranean. What will be the problems and the advantages for the “old” and “new” members? Will the EU Constitution be approved before the date of enlargement on 1st May? What will be the role of Catholics in this phase? Gianni Borsa (Sir) discussed these questions with Emiel Lamberts , professor of the political and religious history of Europe at the University of Louvain (Belgium). Author of many studies on the history of the European Catholic movement, president of the Belgian Academy in Rome, Lamberts is also president of KADOC, the Centre of documentation for religion, culture and society. In a few weeks’ time Europe will see other frontiers disappear and the Union enlarged to Eastern and Southern Europe. Is this really an historic step? “It is, more especially, an enlargement towards Eastern Europe. It will in fact be an event of great historical importance. After the disappearance of the ‘dual monarchy’ (Austria-Hungary), following the First World War, Central and Eastern Europe experienced a period characterized by great instability. This region, moreover, was the direct target of the expansionary aims of neighbouring powers, such as Nazi Germany and then the Soviet Union. In a few months’ time the heirs of the ‘dual monarchy’ (Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary and Slovenia), Poland and the Baltic States will, by their own free will, join a community of countries with a democratic character”. What important consequences do you see on the horizon? “By joining the EU, these countries will ensure stability and peace in this part of Europe and at the same time protect themselves against any possible expansionism on Russia’s part. So Western Europe too may profit from this situation. It is also worth pointing out that the new Europe, that will be born in May, will represent, in some sense, a suitably adapted application of the policy of the balance of power pursued by Austrian Chancellor Metternich who, in the first half of the nineteenth century, had the ambition of securing peace in Europe by a system of checks and balances between the great continental powers. The historic importance of the imminent extension of the European Union is therefore situated in the first place at the level of international geopolitics. We may also note that the EU is about to include, with this phase of extension, all the European countries, with the exception of Switzerland, that have been strongly influenced by Roman Catholicism”. What could be, in your view, the most likely advantages of enlargement? “We may identify several. First, at the international political level: we may think of the defence of stability and peace in Europe, and the reinforcement of the EU’s influence in the world. Second, on the socio-economic level: the creation of an economic market without equals; and the integration of various peoples with great potential for growth, and with a population with a high level of education. Third, advantages may be envisaged in the socio-cultural field: the rapprochement between all the countries that have been influenced by the great traditions of Western civilization (i.e. the combination between Christianity and humanism), a process that must be accompanied by the safeguard of a multicultural society (unity in diversity)”. But won’t there also be risks in extending EU frontiers? “Of course. The process of integration was accelerated by the implosion of the Communist system in Eastern Europe. The operation, however, was not adequately prepared: in particular the political structures of the EU were not sufficiently adapted. It should also be added that the economies of various states have not reached a level of sufficient development; that may trigger ‘earthquakes’ both in the old and in the new Europe. We may think of the possible relocation of certain industries and the problem of internal migratory flows. Moreover, the economies of the new ‘members’ have not yet been adapted to the pace and standards of a free economy. They are also handicapped by a disastrous legacy at the environmental level. Lastly, we should add that parliamentary democracy is not firmly rooted in the new member states. Even civil society, the associations and movements, are still in a phase of reconstruction. All this will undoubtedly require a long period of transition”. Will future European integration have greater chance at the economic or at the politico-institutional and cultural levels? “The support of public opinion is indispensable for the process of integration if it is to take place in a peaceful and democratic fashion. In the past, public opinion was less decisive in the process of the unification of other states. Thus German unification, like that of Italy – though they rested on national sentiment – were mainly achieved as a result of wars and successive revolutions. The transformation of the USA into a real federal State was also achieved through a bloody civil war between 1861 and 1865. If the unification of the old continent is to be peaceful and democratic, it must be supported by the people. On the other hand, it is just the issues that have a direct effect on citizens and public opinion that accelerate the process of integration. The experience of the past shows that it is the positive results of economic cooperation that have convinced citizens of the need to pursue integration. Political and institutional integration is closely related with economic integration. It may acquire a greater influence in future, once the international situation requires of the EU a more independent and dynamic foreign and military policy. This will especially depend on how relations with the USA will be developed”. And what about cultural integration? “Cultural integration won’t show an independent dynamic: cultural factors in the EU are in large part conditioned by economic needs (for example in the sectors of education and scientific research). In the long term, a more perceptible cultural identity will inevitably be developed in Europe. And this, in turn, may play a role of stimulus in the process of further integration”. The failure of the EU summit in December and of the intergovernmental Conference have deferred sine die the approval of the European Constitution. Was it crucial to achieve this result prior to EU enlargement or can this proceed independently of the Constitution? “First, a preliminary remark: there’s still a real chance that the European Constitution, as drawn up by the Convention, may be approved and adopted before the elections to the Parliament in Strasbourg in June. Undoubtedly such a hypothetical result would be preferable. The accession of ten new member states will demand an energetic policy to solve a series of problems that are bound to emerge. The political rules written for the functioning of a more restricted Union will henceforth not be enough. So they will need to be adapted, if possible before May, in order not to eccessively burden the period of adjustment of the EU, which will have to tackle growing problems. If, unfortunately, the new Constitution will not be adopted by this time, the debate will be prolonged in difficult conditions. But optimists don’t despair: experience teaches that the decision-making process develops in a fairly slow and laborious way in the EU. It’s the price we have to pay for the construction of Europe in the peaceful and democratic way I mentioned before. Basically, all the member states are convinced that European integration is essential in this globalized world. This means that each country must make the necessary sacrifices to achieve this goal”. What specific contribution can European Catholics make today to the integration between the peoples and states of Europe? “The presence of Catholics will be reinforced in the EU by the accession of Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Slovenia. This does not imply that they must strive to build up a position of strength in the Union, but they will at least have a better chance of promoting their social and political convictions and moral and religious values in Europe. They must seize this opportunity to defend the liberties and rights of the Churches and the various religious communities, in a spirit of tolerance and reciprocal respect. They must defend Christian and human values in European society and introduce the principles of justice and solidarity in social and political life. To pursue these objectives, both a personal commitment and an overall political strategy are needed. Catholics must also strive, in a period threatened by growing individualisn, to preserve and reinforce bonds between citizens”.