Hope, trust and solidarity” “” “

“Hope, trust and solidarity”: these are the three recommendations that the Commission of the Episcopates of the European Community (COMECE) makes to the political authorities and to all citizens, present and future, of the European Union faced by the “imminent challenge” of the entry into the European Union (EU) of ten new countries: Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia. Their membership will be confirmed by the EU Summit in Copenhagen that opens on 12 December. In the document “Hope, Trust and Solidarity”, released in the Belgian capital on 9 December but already announced in the course of their last plenary assembly (Brussels, 28-29/11/02), the European bishops recall that the “entry of the new member states represents a significant watershed in the history of our continent. The union of different cultures will represent a step towards the common good of Europe”. That’s why “what is at issue is not just EU enlargement, but the europeanization of the EU”. The membership of the new countries, says the document, “is a source of hope, an opportunity for the rebirth of the European Union and of its main mission, that of promoting justice, peace and prosperity both inside and outside its frontiers. The plan for European integration was born from the hope in reconciliation: the yearning that Europe would no longer suffer the destruction caused by war. Now this reconciliation between East and West needs to be further consolidated”. Only thus may one of the “hopes most close to the Church’s heart” be turned into a reality: the hope that “Europe may breathe with both her lungs”. But – the bishops point out in their document – “Europe must also be a source of hope for other regions of the world that wish to build on this model of peaceful integration, especially in Africa and Latin America”. Joining the EU, however, “does not mean only benefiting from rights but also respecting the identity of other nations and the right to take part in the decisions concerning the future form of Europe. All members are equal in the Union”. What’s needed, therefore – recommend the bishops – is “not to work for one’s own interest, but that of the whole community. And that will require a new commitment of trust by all the member states and the recognition of the EU institutions, to which the various countries have entrusted the task of working for the common good. The economic and political interdependence of this community demands trust not only between the leaders of these states, but also between their citizens”. If membership is to prove a success – the document continues – “solidarity between everyone is essential. The process of economic development and political reform has not yet been achieved. The member states will have to implement reforms, in particular that of the common agricultural policy, and share the structural aid they receive with the new members”. The bishops remind these latter that “the advantages of membership may not be revealed immediately” and invite them to “recognize and respect the solidarity demonstrated by the current member states, even if its effects are not yet quantifiable”. In their document, the bishops of COMECE further recall Europe’s duty to contribute to world development: “when they join the EU, the new states will form part of the biggest provider of humanitarian aid and cooperation in the world. We therefore ask the EU to allocate, as they have promised, 0.7% of their GDP as official aid to the development of the poor countries”. The document also urges that “the membership of new states may not give rise to divisions in Europe. Bulgaria and Romania are making many efforts in their bid to enter the EU, and Turkey has already been recognized as a candidate country. We hope that they may soon put into practice the necessary reforms to fulfil the criteria laid down by the Council of Europe in 1993”. “May the enlargement of the frontiers – concludes the document – not give rise to a ‘fortress Europe’. Even though the freedom and security of those who live within the frontiers of Europe need to be protected, it’s important to prevent abuses of human dignity such as the trade in women or children and violations of the rights of migrants and refugees”. Christians have the duty to “seek solutions that may favour the common good. With hope, trust and solidarity, we bishops pledge to support this project and encourage believers and citizens to unite in this common effort”. Daniele Rocchi