May 1, or May Day, has long been a celebrated holiday in Europe. It is the equivalent to Labor Day in the United States. But today will be a historic May 1, both for Europe and the rest of the world.
Today the European Union welcomes its 10 newest members: Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Slovenia, Malta and Cyprus.
The accession to the Brussels-based exclusive club of these 10 new members expands the borders of Europe to new dimensions unthinkable just 10 years ago.
Initially a union of six countries to facilitate coal mining and trading shortly after World War II, the European Economic Community rapidly expanded to the present 15, and will becomes the world’s largest trading today, encompassing 25 nations from the Atlantic Ocean to the Baltic Sea and the threshold of the Middle East.
Europe’s newest members bring additional symbolism by literally taking Europe to new frontiers.
The Baltic States of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania are former republics of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, and onetime Cold War warriors caught under Moscow’s iron fist. Now Europe sits on Russia’s very back door, a short hop from its second-largest city, St. Petersburg, much to the detriment — and disenchantment — of the Russians.
Hungary, Poland, Slovakia and the Czech Republic once were members of the Warsaw Pact, the Soviet-led and controlled military alliance opposing NATO and the Western powers. They were intended to provide the U.S.S.R. a buffer zone with the West. Now Europe borders the Ukraine and Belarus.
Slovenia was part of the former Yugoslavia. It was not itself a Soviet satellite. Nevertheless, under Josip Broz Tito’s communist rule, the country was aligned closer to the U.S.S.R. than to the West. A running joke during the days when Yugoslavia stood half way between the Warsaw Pact and NATO was “visit the U.S.S.R. before it visits you.” There is no guessing which side Slovakia chooses to visit now.
Malta, a small Mediterranean island, is a former British colony. It brings Europe a few miles closer to the coast of North Africa.
Cyprus, another Eastern Mediterranean island, becomes the first divided country to join the EU. In fact, only the southern two-thirds — the ethnically Greek portion — enters the EU today. The Turkish north had the door to Europe slammed by its southern neighbors in last weekend’s referendum vote rejecting a confederation for the island. Cyprus, another former British colony, became independent in 1960.
The mostly Turkish north was invaded by troops from mainland Turkey in 1974 following a coup staged against Cypriot President Makarios by rightist military officers instigated by the dictatorship then ruling Greece. Fearing the island could be attached to Greece and to protect the island’s ethnic Turks, Ankara invaded. Turkey has since been the only country to recognize the the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. The airplane service for the northern third of the island are flights to and from Turkey.
Cyprus also brings Europe to the doorstep of the Middle East, a mere 20-minute airplane ride from Beirut.
For the first time in its history, Europe will be free, united and at peace. “The ghosts of Yalta that have haunted Europe for almost 60 years will finally be laid to rest,” wrote Gareth Harding, UPI’s European correspondent.
Indeed, today’s May Day is historic, marking creation of the world’s largest single trading bloc with some 450 million people, larger than the United States’ 290 million. While nowhere near China’s 1.2 billion, or India’s 1 billion, the Europeans, with a standard of living and economic power comparable to the U.S., represent a fantastic trading partner and economic powerhouse. At least in theory.
Many of EU’s new member nations are what one analyst called “basket cases” and still need several years to catch up to the standard of the richer and more stable EU members. Still, the “new Europe,” comprised of a number of countries from “old Europe,” will certainly be a force to be reckoned with.
Claude Salhani is international editor for United Press International.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.