THE SUNDAY TIMES: Two thousand years ago Roman soldiers united enormous territories from Britain to Athens, from the Rhine to the Iberian peninsula, by the sword. Europe has survived many destructive wars and the collapse of empires. It overcame the dictatorship of tyrants and the horrors of Nazism, but at the same time lived through the Renaissance and sowed the seeds of democracy. It was Europe that formulated the noble ideas of humanism and the Enlightenment, which formed the foundation of European civilisation.
As often happens, history made an astonishing turn — it was in Rome, the Eternal City, where 50 years ago treaties were signed that laid the foundation for a new association of European nations, based not on force or coercion but on common aspirations and values.
The treaties of Rome were in many respects innovative and almost revolutionary for their time. Many wounds of the second world war had still not healed. But the signatory countries demonstrated the political will to work out a joint strategy of cooperation and integration while overcoming the burdens of the past.
The founding fathers of the pan-European movement dreamt about “the prosperity, peace and independence of the continent”. They were right in guessing the future, realising that security and wellbeing are indivisible. The establishment of the European communities on March 25, 1957 had an enormous influence in shaping contemporary Europe. European Union states have been able to further the rights and freedoms of citizens and achieve economic and social progress.
But it was only the end of the cold war that brought about real conditions for the fulfilment of the “fundamental” European idea — the unification of the continent. This was “the peace dividend” following the collapse of the Berlin Wall. The Russian people’s choice in the early 1990s did not merely expand the space of freedom on the continent but actually determined the path of further European integration.
In many respects this choice was defined by the history of Russia. In terms of spirit and culture Russia is an integral part of European civilisation. Our people made an invaluable contribution to its development. (Cont'd): Russia is Europe’s natural ally by Vladimir Putin
ERKLÄRUNG ANLÄSSLICH DES 50. JAHRESTAGES DER UNTERZEICHNUNG DER RÖMISCHEN VERTRÄGE
Mark Alexander
3 comments:
Half a century ago six European nations, principally the French and the Germans, decided to put aside former enmities and, as Angela Merkel, the German chancellor, has noted, “grow together”. The people of the new democratic Russia want their country to be a prosperous power, living a dignified life in friendship and harmony with their neighbours.
Do European really want to grow together, or is the EU really a product of the imposition by elite?
Beware, Putin was...and is...KGB. His only interest is to affirm and expand Russian national interest and power.
Welcome back Eleanor! It's been a long time. I hope and trust you are well.
Do European really want to grow together, or is the EU really a product of the imposition by elite?
I can't really answer that accurately, but I think many people do. They certainly seem to like being closer to Europe, and undoubtedly, there have been many benefits. What many people do resent, however, is the level of bureaucracy that being in the EU brings with it. And they dislike government by unelected representatives. Many also resent the loss of sovereignty.
There is no doubt that the EU has brought peace and much prosperity to Europe. But there is also an element of the élite imposing its will on us.
I think it is good that the European nations are growing closer, in the same way as it would be nice to see Europe and the US growing closer too. We all need each other. And it is true to say that we will have strength in unity, especially against growing Islam.
Beware, Putin was...and is...KGB. His only interest is to affirm and expand Russian national interest and power.
There is much truth in that statement.
We need Russia's inside knowledge to stay ahead of them. If we push Russia away, she may deepen contacts elsewhere, such as throughout the arab-bloc.
Good point, well made.
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