Religions and the EU promote hope

“Our transition has been ongoing for 25 years. We had hoped to make a fresh start”, after the fall of communism, “within 10-15 years. Instead, economic development failed to arrive, nor did employment or higher incomes. To make it short, today is the most difficult moment”, that’s why we hope the European perspective will become consolidated”. Srdja Kekovic is the chairman of the USSCG union in Montenegro. He openly spoke of the difficulties faced by his country, and mentioned a greater “expectation” on the part of the Balkans towards “reconciliation”. And the EU enters the horizon of a better future. From Belgrade, where he is taking part in the international seminar on social dialogue, the USSCG chairman conveyed the hope of cooperation among the European unions. “If ecumenical dialogue is true for the churches, it should also be true in the job environment”. Democracy, work, religions. Kekovic took part in the seminar promoted in the Serbian capital from April 17-19 by the Christian Workers’ Movement. Three intense days to discuss participatory democracy, workers’ rights, recession and recovery, dialogue against the backdrop of the Balkan region market in recent times by deep divisions, ferocious wars, internal conflicts at national level. The very religious presence – notably Catholic, Orthodox and Muslim – was involved in these events, sometimes for the good other times for the bad. This was acknowledged by all those present who identified in religious faiths, reposing in the relationship with the European Union the strongest hopes for the future of the region. The concept was reiterated by Carlo Costalli, chairman of the Christian Workers’ Movement (MCL): “Mediation and the role of the EU are fundamental for the future of Western Balkans”. Costalli underlined the historical task – for peace and development – played since the outset of the Community, “without denying its limits, denounced on several occasions”. The EU’s role in the Balkans “is all the more important given Russia’s surging destabilizing influence”. Crisis and reforms. A delegation representing 12 countries taking part in the seminar in Belgrade was received by Msgr. Stanislav Hoèevar, of Slovenian background, archbishop of Belgrade since 2001. “I firmly believe that dialogue is the way for the future of the this Country and of the Balkans”. “We should learn to face the events of the past and provide a deeper interpretation. Let it suffice to think of the theme of reconciliation…” Encouraged to carry out an analysis of the social and ecclesial situation in Serbia, the bishop expressed himself in clear and equally prudent terms. “The economic reality is very difficult here – he said -. The crisis caused unemployment and social problems in Western Europe, and here the situation is equally serious”. Unemployment involves over 20% of the population, “and for young people figures are even worse”. “It should be considered that here true development began only after the fall of Milosevic”, i.e., since the year 2000. Hoèevar clarified: “This time of transition is very complex for us. The government intervened to carry out important reforms but this has affected citizens’ lives, like the reductions in pensions. However, these reforms were important” to give new thrust to the economy and draw Serbia closer to the EU. Msgr. Hoèevar underlined that Serbia is faced with a twofold tension: “On the one side Moscow is still a point of reference” for historical and religious reasons (the great majority of the population is Orthodox). “But on the other hand I think that feelings in favour of adhesion to community Europe” are growing. The Pope’s visit. The testimonies of the various national realities shed light on the fact that this “door to Europe” between the East and the West, the obstacles to economic and social development go hand in hand with the need for long-lasting peace. Various experiences were shared with participants: Kresimir Sever, from Croatia; Bilbil Kasmi, Muslim, from Albania (in Serbia for the first time); Fritz Neugebauer, from Austria; Mons. Cesare Lodeserto from Moldavia; Branislav Canak, Serbian; Rumen Valchev from Bulgaria. It is evident that tensions between Serbians and Croatians are still strong. Bosnia-Herzegovina is still awaiting a much promised pacification; relations between Serbia, Kosovo, Albania, as well as those between Macedonia and Greece are far from being idyllic… Fr Franjio Topic, chairperson of Napredak (Sarajevo), world renowned scholar, brought the voice of Bosnia to the seminar on social dialogue. He spoke of dialogue, courage, realism, and even optimism. “Ours is a complex situation – he said – with three major ethnic groups and three major religions, Orthodox, Muslim and Catholic. We represent three worlds that must live together”. He pointed out: “There can be no peace in Europe without peace in Bosnia-Herzegovina”. This national reality is at the same time “an integration workshop” and a “difficult situation, marked by the war and by political fragmentation”. Topic explained “in Bosnia grows the expectation for Pope Francis’ visit”; at the same time grow the expectations for the visit of Pope Francis”, while he underlined “the value of identity”, also in religious terms also since “those who have a solid identity are not afraid of dialogue”, and become promoter of peace.