Külügyi Szemle - A Magyar Külügyi Intézet folyóirata - 2010 (9. évfolyam)
2010 / 2. szám - KÖZÉP-EURÓPA - Szilágyi Imre: Közép-Európa délnyugati szárnya. Horvátok és szlovének a közép-európai együttműködésben
Résumé Résumé The Southwestern Wing of Central Europe. Croats and Slovenes on Central European Cooperation The researches of the topic include Slovenia almost always and Croatia often among the Central Europeans. The Central European idea appeared, primarily in culture, in these two countries in the latter half of the 1980s as a tool of turning against Communism and the Serbian centralization attempts. Politically, the main goal was joining the EU; Central Europe, which was viewed as a poor region, served only as a means of assistance in this context. After Croatia and Slovenia became independent, some of the leading politicians of both states became uncertain about this idea. Though Croatia and Slovenia were parts of the Alps-Adriatic Working Group since 1978, and they became members of the Central European Initiative in 1992, Croatian President Tudman and Slovene Prime Minister, then President Drnovsek did not take any particular interest in the V4, which constituted the core of Central Europe. In opposition to them, Slovene President Kucan, former Foreign Minister Rupel, as well as Croatian President Sanader stressed Central Europeanism with a view to realities on the ground. At the same time, the sense of belonging to the Mediterraneum was also strong in both countries; therefore, Central Europe is only one part of their identity. The possible strengthening of the V4, and thus its growing influence within the EU, might give an impetus to taking more interest in the region in Croatia and Slovenia. 34 Külügyi Szemle
