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A web page about Europe, European Union, Integration, Enlargement, Globalisation , War, Peace, Trade, Economy, Development, Society, History, Geography, Culture, European Reunification, European Economic Community, by Neytcho Iltchev

I must emphasize these tantalizing years in order to make clear what happened in 1989. Within a few months the unexpected fall of the Berlin Wall was followed by the liberation of Eastern Europe and the collapse of the former Soviet Union. Even more important than this sudden collapse of the post war division, was its non-violent character. With the exception of former Yugoslavia this major shift in European politics happened without firing one shot. Never before, as far as I know, a superpower imploded in such a peaceful and democratic way. It explains the feeling of European euphoria in the early years following 1989. For the first time in recorded history nearly all European nations woke up without opposing blocs or alliances. Two hundred years after the French Revolution, European nations finally were to be reunited for a democratic, peaceful and tolerant common future.

As a matter of fact West-European nations did not await 1989 for changing the guard and preparing the future. Since the early 1950s particularly France and the German Federal Republic learned the lessons of three major wars in one lifetime and joined forces for a peaceful realignment of Europe. Allying with Italy and the three Benelux-countries - Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxemburg - they paved the way for the European Economic Community. From the 1960s to the 1990s this Community was gradually enlarged to nine, ten, twelve and actually fifteen member states. At the same time most of these nations were members of Nato, the western and North-Atlantic alliance led by the United States in order to guarantee their political and military security.

But as long as Europe was divided by an Iron Curtain, Europeans did not master their own destiny, jeopardized by the global rivalry between East and West, the United States and the Soviet Union, Nato and Warsaw Pact. This unchangeable and unmovable pattern of postwar European relations was finally shattered by the events of 1989. This year changed all that could be changed on European soil. For Europe the 20th century ended in 1989. For European nations the 21st century started that year.

Since 1989 Europe is shaken by two major developments mutually strengthening one another. On the one hand the member states of the European Economic Community gradually moved to form a European Union, both based on an economic and monetary union and a political union. The basis of this major shift - the treaty of Maastricht - was formed in 1992, so close to the European upheaval of the preceding years. Five years later, in 1997, Maastricht was followed by the treaty of Amsterdam. As a result of these treaties the economic and monetary union has been firmly established. At the end of this year twelve member states will have a common European currency, the euro, under the aegis of a European Central Bank. This move has no precedent in modern history. I don't doubt it will have political consequences, providing the political union with a similar strength.

On the other hand 1989 was followed by the democratisation of the liberated states in Central and Eastern Europe, and by their growing demand to join the European Union as soon as possible. Actually twelve states are engaged in negotiations to join the Union. There can be no doubt. Within a few years, the European Union will grow from 15 to 27 or even more member states. At that moment the European Union will nearly embrace all European nations. Never before in European history we find a union as numerous and diverse, covering member-states from Finland to Portugal and from the Sea of Ireland to the Black Sea.