What we ask of Europe…” “

I am often asked: “What is your country and the other countries of Central and Eastern Europe expecting from the process of European integration?”. My reply is that each nation is similar to a human being: in the new European family each nation must be considered as such. I will try to explain what I mean and, although I am referring to Slovakia, I think this also goes for the other countries. Our citizens are very aware of the fact that when we speak of integration everything is reduced to whether we are “accepted or not in Europe”. That we are geographically in Europe – indeed at its very heart – is self-evident, it’s enough to look at a map. But we are also present in Europe culturally and politically: for over a thousand years we have felt ourselves to be an integral part of this continent. So it’s right to pose the question whether we could contribute or not to enlarging and enriching the European Union. If we want to form a new community of nations, we need to proceed as we would do with any human person with whom we enter into relation. We expect, therefore, to be accepted in Europe also from the human, cultural and national point of view. This is only possible on the basis of a knowledge of our history and the way of thinking of each individual nation. The Slovak mentality, for example, with its proverbial cordiality, is expressed in hospitality, in welcome, but it is also prone to sentimentalism and individualism which leads to fragmentation. By suppressing or ignoring these differences, the problems are not resolved, indeed they are aggravated. The frequent accusations of racism made against us, because we are incapable of resolving our problems (which are by their very nature very complex and grave) with the gypsy minority, are a proof of the superficiality and incomprehension with which we are regarded from abroad. For our part, we fear entering into a community of nations that privilege economic prosperity as a criterion of evaluation. In fact, among the conditions of the membership negotiations, emphasis is placed on market stability, prosperity and “democracy”, i.e. a government compatible with the EU. Paradoxically, however, it is just in the period of adjustment to the European parameters, that we are witnessing an alarming reduction of the commitment of the ministries of public education, culture and health. We are also deeply concerned by the question who will represent us in the European institutions. In our parties and in the other structures of government important positions are still being held by members of a party guilty of grave crimes against humanity (it’s as if there were a majority of members of the SS in the German Parliament and Government, or of exponents of fascism in Italy). So far the majority of citizens has been represented and interpreted by a small group of the opposite ideology: will they be accepted as our representatives also in the EU? Another question is whether the Union will offer the conditions to facilitate a deeper knowledge of the individual countries of Central and Eastern Europe. In our contacts with the citizens of Western Europe we are made aware of prejudices (even positive ones), and forms of under-estimation or idealization. We realize it is also our task to communicate, to make ourselves known. In this sense, the Holy Father’s recommendation of our country is prophetic and challenging; according to John Paul II, Slovakia, although only a small country, has an important contribution to make to the future of Europe with its cultural and spiritual values, strengthened by many trials and tribulations. Unfortunately, just these values that are capable of enriching Europe are being destroyed by influences of Western provenance. A recent census showed that 83 % of the citizens of Slovakia believe in Christian values. They believe that after four decades of discrimination and one decade of political manipulation, they will be able to find in the European structures a space to offer a valid contribution to the well-being of this new society. We hope that the constructors of the new Europe will take seriously the lesson which led to the tragic collapse of similar attempts in the past and prepare a better future for everyone. We would like to contribute to it.