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Dec.26/04 - Jan.2, 2005 |
1 - Introducing The Newest Europe
New Tandem series analyzes the renewing of the Old World through unity
By Antonio Maglio
Originally Published: 2004-08-22
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Canada\'s Chretien (centre) with other world leaders
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On April 16, in Athens, the Heads of State and Foreign Ministers of the 15 member states of the European Union decided to admit 10 new members, effective May 1, 2004.
The event had great historical, political and economic significance. The historical relevance was due to the fact that, up until the Eighties, these new members were considered "the enemy": they embodied the Soviet area of a Europe still split by the Iron Curtain. The political and economic significance lies in the fact that the European Union, already strong in productivity and with a solid currency, becomes even stronger: on May 1, 2004, its territory will go from the Iberian Peninsula to the Urals, encompassing 450 million citizens. A continent under way, then, representing an immense marketplace, destined to become a first-rank political entity.
The big North American media have paid little attention to this event that will redesign the global strategic scenarios. And yet, some of the indications coming from Athens should concern America, namely, the efforts of European leaders to mend the rifts, both internal and external, that preceded the U.S.-British assault on Baghdad. The controversy was not fanned; on the contrary, an appeal was made to return Iraq to democracy and wealth through international institutions, first and foremost the U.N., revitalized and adapted to cope with the new world emergencies, in accordance with Washington's desires. This, too, escaped North American media.
So, did the media underestimate the event, or did they simply miss its real significance? Our new report series will try and assist our readers in understanding this reality, stubbornly pursued by the Europeans for the past half century and now proceeding swiftly forward, following decades of foundation-laying. It moves so fast that its currency, the Euro, is stronger than the U.S. dollar.
Our series will be published in Italian on Corriere Canadese and in English on Tandem, and will remain accessible on the websites of both papers,: www.corriere.com and tandemnews.com.
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