European identity

Editorials/Op-Ed - The Washington Times, America's Newspaper

"European identity

By Tod Lindberg
June 13, 2006

VIENNA. -- The failure of the European Constitutional Treaty in referenda in the Netherlands and France last year led to a determination among European leaders that the time had come for a "moment of reflection." That moment is with us still and forms the backdrop for German Marshall Fund's conference here.
As an American in Europe, it struck me that the best contribution I could make would be to try to offer a candid assessment of where the project of European integration stands as of now. What, then, is Europe in 2006 as distinct from its component parts, the member-states? In what senses can we say that "Europe" exists? We begin with the relatively simple matter of geography — Europe's place on the map. This sense of Europe is old and steeped in history. But even in the case of geography, we quickly arrive at matters that remain subjects of contention. Specifically, what are the boundaries of Europe? During the Cold War, "Europe" was largely a term for Western Europe. That's no longer so. Europeans have settled the question of whether Central and Eastern Europe are also included. They are. So too, the Balkans — scene of the most murderous post-communist action — are now surprisingly far along the path of integration. "