Home >> Europe >> The Balkans  Email  Print The past is the future of Europe Tale Buling - 3/3/2010 The grand idea of United Europe, conceived in the mid 20th century by Jean Monnet, Robert Schuman, Paul Henri Spaak and Alcide de Gasperi was to be an answer to nationalism infested Europe, which plagued the continent in two world wars and several regional wars that destroyed most of Europe, physically and emotionally.
It seemed, at that time, that Europeans have finally come to their senses, and learned that nationalism does not resolve anything, and, in fact, It Is the root of the problem, a stumbling block, which no one can overcome or conquer. Nationalism must be out – people, cultures, democracy, justice, law and order, equality, human rights, progressive ideas must be in! EU was to be a club that all can join, as long as all share the same values…regardless of National origin, religious affiliation, race or ethnicity.
Today, half of a century later, the EU finds itself powerless or unwilling, to adhere to it’s most precious law- the one guaranteeing humans their rights, regardless of their national, political or religious affiliation.
How else one can explain the completely unreasonable, bigot request made by the EU towards the Macedonians: If you want to join the EU change your name, denounce your ethnicity, language, history, nationality, admit that you don’t exist and then you can join the European Union ! In other words – commit national suicide! “Membership requires that candidate country has achieved stability of institutions guaranteeing democracy, the rule of law, human rights and respect for and, protection of minorities…” is written in the Maastricht treaty, which must be adopted by ALL members before accepted in the Union. Is it so? The EU condones and actively supports Greece and its nationalistic policies and that makes the EU willing participant in discriminatory practices, even if some of the member states do not practice it. EU cannot pick and chose and selectively apply its laws, policies …in some member states and completely disregard in others, while making “big deal” about it when negotiating membership with new candidates.
The Republic of Macedonia respects all human rights including the right to ethnic and religious determination to all Macedonian citizens, Maastricht treaty or not, including those of the surrounding countries: Greek, Albanian, Serbian, Bulgarian, Vlach, Roma, Turk… ALL enjoy unprecedented rights and benefits in the republic of Macedonia , while with exception of Serbia ethnic Macedonians have no rights at all, and are not even recognized as minorities, especially in the EU member states of Greece and Bulgaria . Several reports written by the United Nations , Helsinki watch and others , condemns both: Greece and Bulgaria, for their nationalistic policies, to date EU is not interested in the issue, and support’s its member states, regardless how wrong they may be, thus EU practicing one thing and preaching another. The policies toward the Macedonian minorities in Bulgaria and Greece are shame to the EU, as if the Maastricht treaty does not apply to Greece and Bulgaria , and it may, again, ignite the nationalistic nightmare and paradigms of the 20th century.
EU must tell the Macedonians straight upfront: “No Macedonian nation, no Macedonian language, no Macedonian history, no Macedonian ethnicity…Macedonians don’t exist..” or tell Greece and Bulgaria to comply with the Maastricht treaty, recognize the Macedonians and their right to self determination, apply the rule of law, and if Greece and Bulgaria refuse it will be clear the EU is just a joke, and- the past is the future of Europe.
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