We are permanently divided

This MPP comprises many topics. They range from Czech and Slovak voices in the debate on how a democratic country should deal with its past to family policies.

It is, however, European security policy and Russia which comprise the main part of the issue. Not long ago these topics were not distinct. Today, in the midst of rebuilding Russia’s spheres of influence in our part of Europe, they depend on each other. Accordingly, can we imagine an effective European security policy without solidarity and unanimiy in a subject as key as relations with Russia? No. This is not imaginable and not for Russia becoming the continents’ main security problem, but because, in order to have a policy in such sensitive and delicate area of sovereigny as security, political content is needed. One which will fill better or worse designed political forms, which are always secondary to political content.

Despite years put into European defense systems, despite great challenges ahead for Europe, we remain a continent divided on all significant challenges to world peace. We are divided on the Middle East, Iraq, Syria, on the Far East, as well as on the future of Taiwan and policy toward China. We have differing opinions on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, and even on something as clear and simple as the view of Castro’s criminal regime. Finally, our tradition of relations with Russia are very different. They range from equating Europe’s East policy to relations with Moscow, no matter who currently resides in the Cremlin, to awakening patriotism and strive for freedom in countries in our part of the continent, of whose existence Russia would rather forget.

When we say ‘traditions’, it sounds minor and soft, almost sentimental. The point is, however, that these traditions are still alive and affect Europe’s security situation more profoundly than all initiatives aimed at institutionalizing foreign and security policy put together. This, therefore, is what makes them fundamentally limited.

Konrad Szymański