Belgrade, 24/09/2007 (Agence Europe) - As part of the Heritage Days opening ceremony, Commissioner Jan Figel gave a brief interview in which he described his vision of cultural diversity.
EUROPE: What should we be particularly celebrating as part of the European Heritage Days (EHD) in the south east of Europe?
Jan Figel: I think we should celebrate European cultural heritage because everywhere we have some important interest inspiring pieces. It's like a mosaic and this time we look to south eastern Europe because the Council of Europe's presidency is in the hands of the Serbian government, and we came to contribute and support this cooperation. Secondly, I think that this region needs special support, special attention because it's in transition from the very bloody deep divisions of the 1990s and it's still very fresh. We also need to confirm very clearly that maybe what was not so visible in European integration before, because it was more about coal and steel, the market and the Euro. Culture is very important for living together, not only for existing together. Culture, which brings respect to others, which brings dialogue instead of monologues or even conflicts, makes us different but a community. Diversity in unity or united in diversity is the best motto, the best narrative for Europe in the 21st century. Diversity is growing because of enlargement, because of immigration but we have to work also on unity and unity is about integration, integration of Serbia, of countries (western) and Balkan to run the community. Integration does not mean absorption, integration doesn't mean assimilation of new commerce of the smallest by the biggest countries, but of a bigger community. Integration means participation, participation has the same rules agreed for the principles of quality. So all this must get into the basic relations, into the minds and the hearts of people living here but also living in Europe in order to shape the process of integration in openness, in solidarity and humanity. Culture is very central for this approach.
EUROPE: Do you think the EHD could be a way to bring citizens closer to Europe?
Jean Figel: Absolutely. I think that what we need to build is not only a Europe friendly to investors and business but also a Europe of people, friendly to people. Jean Monnet in the introductory pages of his mémoirs said, “It's not about states, it's about people and that's why we believe that culture, which defines us, which differs one group or community from another is an invitation to know, to understand, to speak languages, to be really aware of Europe's diversity, not as a problem but as our richness”.