Külügyi Szemle - A Magyar Külügyi Intézet folyóirata - 2010 (9. évfolyam)
2010 / 1. szám - MAGYARORSZÁG ÉS KELET-KÖZÉP-EURÓPA - Terényi János: Közép-Európa a magyar külpolitika optikájában
Résumé identification, reasserted their claim to get back to their European roots. After the end of the Cold War, the regime change and a sweeping transition process, the notion of Central Europe is taking up a somewhat altered meaning. In functional terms, the new Central Europe covers those former communist countries which, having become full-fledged EU- members, still face the historic challenge of real convergence, aiming at catching up with the economic and social standards of the core countries of the European Union. In this peculiar situation the countries of this diversified region, in spite of all possible differences and dissentions in their ranks, share fundamental interests on a wide range of vital issues pertaining to consolidate their place in the European integration, to emphasise their special approach to the evolution of the most relevant EU-policies, to shape the future of the transatlantic relationship as well as to bring a meaningful contribution to further EU- enlargement and to strengthen Eastern Partnership. This convergence of interests creates a reliable basis for a pragmatic, results- oriented regional cooperation. Central European solidarity cannot be proclaimed from above, but has to be nurtured progressively departing from a practical coordination of selected interests and concerted actions on concrete issues. Subsequently, Central Europe does not need any new overarching political framework, since we already have in our disposition a set of regional fora, including the Visegrad Group, the different V4 plus formations, the Regional Cooperation, etc. It is imperative to discard formal or overlapping elements in the activities of these structures, to streamline and to harmonize functions and actions within a conceptual framework of a coherent regional strategy. Central European countries are not expected to act as a bloc or to come to a common denominator on all possible issues. Hence the importance of a flexible approach „a la géometrie variable", where the selection of partners inside and outside the region depends on the concrete issue on the agenda. The geographic location of Hungary, connecting the northern and the south-eastern flanks of Central Europe, lying at a junction of the North-South and East-West axes of communication, transport and infrastructure, enables this country to play an essential part in building a genuine regional cooperation. Hungary has the vocation to act as a „smart power" in Central Europe, positioning itself in the middle of the complex network of multilayer contacts in the region. The Visegrad Group is considered to be the core of the new Central Europe both in geographic and political terms. A strategic relationship between Hungary and Poland is essential to boost regional teamwork as well as to give an impetus to Central European solidarity. Hungary's interest to see a truly common regional approach outweighs the often narrow and short-sighted nation-state visions and practices still influential in Central Europe. Building a regional cooperation inside the European Union cannot be separated from nurturing a modem Central European identity based on what binds us together instead of fomenting frictions between nations in a historically conflict-torn area. 2010. tavasz 17
