Post photo: Mediterranean Sea | © 8926 on Pixabay
With the end of the Second World War, our European idea became the common vision of all democratic parties in Europe.
Although there were always differences of opinion in the design of a common Europe and it also happened that individual parties left the "European movement" at times and with a lot of fanfare, but the idea itself has become the consensus of all European democrats. In the meantime, 28 European countries (including the Republic of Croatia) have decided to become a member of the European Union; even if some politicians no longer want to admit this in an attack of populism.
In addition, there are still enough European countries that would like to be a member of our community or count on being able to become members as soon as their independence no longer brings them any further advantages. In addition, other states are still very positive about the development of a European federation and have supported it from the start with their own resources.
Unfortunately, we have to admit today that the initial enthusiasm for creating the “United States of Europe” has long since given way to a policy of taking small steps.
The nationalism of our fellow human beings has regained strength faster than we could ever have imagined, despite fifty million murders and manslaughter during the last world war alone. Less than 50 years after this, murder, looting and raping were temporarily declared “reasons of state” in parts of Europe. Worse still, it remains everyday life in a much larger part of our world!
That is why, more than ever, we must stand up to any kind of nationalism, first of all in our immediate surroundings and then also beyond. Because our European idea remains solely the right path towards a world union, which the grandchildren of our grandchildren will hopefully be able to experience one day. It is true that we are all happy about the recent award of the Nobel Peace Prize to us citizens of the Union, and many of us also welcome our Croatian friends as new members, but this must not blind us to the fundamental questions of our community.
We have been waiting for a “European Constitution” since the early XNUMXs. Even a “European army” that had already been decided at that time remains a promise and was recently called into question again by our current federal government.
In addition to a good 60 years of peace in large parts of Europe and a common market, only the elimination of borders and the euro as a currency in parts of the European Union have been achieved so far; and even these achievements are no longer safe from the nationalists.
It is therefore increasingly up to us European federalists to give the European idea more relevance again. We have to secure what has already been achieved, vehemently defend what has been promised and also tackle new things.
We need a common constitution, we need a common foreign and security policy, we need a common currency and a corresponding economic and financial policy.
We must manage migration within and to Europe and we must also ensure that all Europeans can live and fulfill themselves as human beings. In addition, we Europeans must assert ourselves against other communities and maintain our own identity in our common world.
In doing so, we cannot and must not avoid the following question: How far can Europe reach, or rather how far can it reach?
The fact is that Europe cannot be considered a continent as it is already spread across four continents.
It is also a fact that although Europe was shaped by the three monoteistic religions and above all by Christianity, it defined itself as an educational, cultural and value community independent of their current influences. That is why the admission of the “eternal” candidate Republic of Turkey to the European Union is imperative; rather, the discussion should already be about the admission of countries in the Middle East and North Africa.
One should also think again about the options "Atlantic Union" and "Eurafrica". Whether we like it or not, at the latest our children will have to deal with the Chinese, Indian or other much more numerous communities and hopefully then be able to preserve our own values in order to ultimately pave the way for a democratic, free, federal and subsidiary world union.
"SOON, NOSTALGIA will be another name for Europe."
Angela Carter, JOHN BERGER AND THE PASSING OF VILLAGE LIFE (March 29, 1987)
