EUROPEAN UNION AS A GUARANTOR OF PEACE
Secretary-General Heinz Wimpissinger of the European Society Coudenhove-Kalergi
One of the main goals of the European Union is to ensure peace. The world is constantly shaken by many conflicts, but since World War II the territory of the EU has remained peaceful.
Increasingly, however, natural disasters, hunger and religious wars in neighboring countries as well as hegemonic efforts by major powers, terrorism and cyber attacks are threatening the European situation. In the face of these global framework conditions, it is imperative that European member states reject national egoisms and see peacekeeping as a prerequisite for the survival of the unique achievements of our European society.
For peacekeeping, the possibility of military self-defense is absolutely essential. The decisions to coordinate national European military units are pleasing. These efforts are called "Permanent Structured Cooperation - Pesco". The aim of Pesco is to interlock the nearly 200 European weapon systems, create a clout for joint operations and thus automatically achieve immense military savings potential. This would also serve to build a powerful but defensive supranational military force. A European army makes Europe less dependent on non-European influences. The urgency of European self-defense and peacekeeping agreed between EU Member States is reinforced by the increasingly isolationist US defense policy since Donald Trump's presidency.
NATO, founded as a counterweight to the Soviet Union and the defense of Western democracies, is a post-war security architecture that still has great significance for Europe. Many European countries have belonged to this defense alliance since its inception, and later sought protection in this military alliance to ensure their security and independence. Today, there is much mistrust about NATO's objective between eastern and western powers. It would be important to have the universal recognition that NATO serves exclusively to maintain peace with the general aim of living in peace with all countries.
As early as 1934, Richard Coudenhove-Kalergi regarded Switzerland as a model and a desirable paragon for armed peacekeeping. As an important political goal, Europe should also see neutrality limits as an international creative and formative force. The orientation and ideal should be solidarity with the world community through the UN and close ties to NATO for peacekeeping.
Let us recall the citation from Richard Coudenhove-Kalergi in the Pan-European Manifesto almost 100 years ago, affirmed by our history: "A fragmented Europe leads to war, oppression and misery, a united Europe ensures peace, freedom and prosperity."
Comments
Post a Comment