A sigh of relief

On 1st January 2007 Bulgaria and Romania will become members of the European Union, which will thus grow to 27 members. As this important deadline draws near, SirEurope has interviewed in Bulgaria the Minister of Bulgarian European Policies MEGLENA KUNEVA , who will also assume the post of European Commissioner for the Rights of Consumers on 1st January. What are Bulgaria’s expectations and concerns a few days before her entry into the European Union? “I don’t think the expectations are any different from what they were at the start of her process of integration, but undoubtedly a country that has gone through a very difficult process of adjustment can allow herself a sigh of relief. We are conscious, however, that this is not the end of the road: the 1st January is only the start; we’ve only reached the halfway stage”. What has changed in the country in the process of European integration? “I think the most important thing has been the way in which we have succeeded in changing our country during the process of negotiation. It has been a real process of change, from every point of view, and not only due to harmonization and the adjustment of Bulgarian legislation to that of the EU, and the need for compliance with the Commission’s directives. We have also changed our way of life, our way of regulating and controlling our affairs, even our way of calculating time. This was one of the most interesting things that emerged from the negotiations: because at times a delay of two or three days was enough to place us on the wrong side of the road”. You are the first Bulgarian European Commissioner, and what’s more a woman. What’s the role of women and the young in the construction of Europe? “We shouldn’t draw distinctions between people, in terms of whether they are women or youth. For me it’s more important to be able to contribute in whatever way to the common good. However, undoubtedly women and youth are two very important groups, without which Europe cannot progress. In my career I can say I had the opportunity to work together with the best people and am not afraid to say that half of them were women or young people. I really noted how well women can work and how loyal they are to the institutions for which they work. I think the presence of women and youth in politics and in every field of life can change our life for the better”. What is the contribution of intellectuals in reconciling modernity and the West with local traditions and the Bulgarian cultural identity? “For a relatively small nation like Bulgaria, with a language that is not widely known, and with our own specific cultural dimension, this question is really very important. There’s a good deal of talk about it in the country, and in many public debates, among intellectuals and so on. I think our cultural identity is reaffirmed precisely in the meeting with others, while continuing to live a modern life. For if we remain isolated and shut ourselves off, it becomes impossible for us to testify how unique and special our own identity is. The most important thing, in my view, is to arouse interest in our own nation, our own values, our own cultural heritage, while at the same time inserting them in the context of the contemporary world. In this time of dialogue between nations it’s important to realize how important diversity is, and to preserve it. In Bulgaria we have no doubts on that score; it’s enough to look around and ascertain what has happened in other member countries. I don’t think some have lost something of their own identity. When I’m asked what will Bulgaria bring to Europe I reply: ‘fine youthful minds”. You’re Catholic. What is the place of Catholic values in the construction of Europe? “That’s a very personal question. Values are linked to the personal identity of each of us. I think that tolerance, which forms part of the teaching of the Church, the aspiration to peace, prosperity and solidarity, are very important, but I also think we have shared values in common with many other denominations. Morality in politics is very important: the Catholic Church says so, but so do the other confessions. And morality can transform man into a better person. Each person, following his own vocation, can make his own contribution. The more we practice our values in conformity with the teachings of our religion, the better Europe will become”.