Peace in Europe and the World

Zagreb and Banja Luka hosted the international conference ‘Peace in Europe and the World’, organised by the Croatian Pan-European Union in cooperation with the Pan-European Union of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the International Pan-European Union from 27 to 29 October 2023.

With more than 70 participants from 17 European countries, the conference discussed the Pan-European perspective on ending armed conflicts and imperial aspirations in Europe and the world and strengthening the world order based on peaceful conflict resolution principles.

The Presidency Council of the International Pan-European Union was held within the framework of the conference and the Declaration on Peace in Europe and the World was adopted.

Speakers at the conference included: Dubravka Šuica, Vice-President of the European Commission; Gordan Grlić Radman, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Croatia; Franjo Komarica, Bishop of Banjoluc; Karlo Ressler, Member of the European Parliament and Vice-President of the Croatian Pan-European Union; Davor Ivo Stier, Member of the Croatian Parliament and Vice-President of the Croatian Pan-European Union; Pavo Barišić, President of the Croatian Pan-European Union and Secretary General of the International Pan-European Union; Mislav Ježić, Honorary President of the Croatian Pan-European Union and Vice-President of the International Pan-European Union; Franjo Topić, President of the Pan-European Union of Bosnia and Herzegovina and member of the Presidency of the International Pan-European Union, as well as representatives of Pan-European organisations from Austria, Montenegro, France, Croatia, Italy, Kosovo, Hungary, Germany, Poland, Romania, North Macedonia, Slovakia, Serbia, Spain, Sweden and Ukraine.

The first day of the conference took place in Zagreb, and President Barišić opened it with a speech in which he recalled the history of the Pan-European Union and its peacemaking role in Europe and the world. He referred to war scenarios that have already been experienced, which should serve as a warning to current and future generations. ‘A just peace is not based on violence and aggression, but on freedom, justice, human dignity, solidarity and tolerance. These are high European values that should be promoted in the world in order to consolidate lasting peace,’ he said.

Minister Gordan Grlić Radman referred to the perspective of EU membership as an instrument for securing peace in Europe. He said: ‘The European Union can and should make a greater contribution to securing peace on a global level and raise its profile as a geostrategic factor.’ He emphasised the role of the Republic of Croatia in creating and preserving European values in South-East Europe.

The Vice-President of the European Commission, Dubravka Šuica, addressed the audience in a video message. She emphasised that democratic principles are a prerequisite for freedom and security. The European Union plays a key role in this, especially in the Western Balkans region.

The President of the International Pan-European Union, Alain Terrenoire, also addressed words of support and solidarity to the participants in his speech. He emphasised the importance of European freedom and independence in the complex geopolitical relations between the major powers. He advocated European sovereignty in matters of security and defence.

The conference participants were welcomed by the Director of the Hanns Seidel Foundation, Aleksandra Markić Boban, and the Director of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation in Croatia and Slovenia, Holger Haibach.

Member of the European Parliament Karlo Ressler emphasised the importance of investing in the defence mechanisms of European countries, which are under increasing pressure due to the current security and migration challenges. ‘In these turbulent times, it is crucial that Europe fully wakes up, gains momentum and acts as one. Our commitment to peace, security and unity in Europe is crucial,’ said Ressler.

Davor Ivo Stier, Member of the Croatian Parliament, warned against the illusion of lasting peace in Europe and the need to rethink European identity on the basis of science, philosophy and Judeo-Christian values.

Mislav Ježić, Honorary President of the Croatian Pan-European Union, gave an insight into the complexity of war situations, emphasising the numerous consequences of all kinds. ‘Religious and political leaders are called upon to consider, in these difficult times of new conflicts and wars, whether the principles of their actions are in line with the peacemaking principles of the great religions and modern humanism,’ he concluded.

The President of the German Pan-European Union, Bernd Posselt, concluded the first day of the conference by saying that Europe has no future if it abandons its traditions and centuries-old values, and that ‘Europeans are not a problem for the Eurosceptics, but for the pro-Europeans who do nothing for Europe’.

The panel discussion was followed by the musical part of the conference. The half-hour programme of operas, operetta arias and musical excerpts was performed by the following artists: Arijana Gigliani-Philipp, soprano; Petra Pia Kartelo, soprano; Jakov Kalajžić, bass and Ivan Batoš on piano.

The second day of the pan-European conference took place at the European Centre for Peace and Cooperation ‘Mara Star’ in Banja Luka. The second day of the conference was hosted by Bishop Franjo Komarica from Banja Luka.

In his address, Bishop Komarica gave a historical overview of the suffering and systematic neglect of the progress, development and growth of the Diocese of Banjo Luka and the Banjo Luka region, where ‘more than 150 years ago the true, true light of a constructive and in every respect progressive Europe shone’. The creation and survival of a unique civilisational, cultural and spiritual phenomenon is due to courageous and far-sighted Europeans, Catholic Trappist monks. He emphasised the importance of restoring the cultural and spiritual heritage, especially in the context of the war in the 1990s. He pointed out that it was necessary to work on reconciliation and build inter-ethnic and inter-religious dialogue in order to overcome divisions and ensure a future in which the right of each individual is honoured in the spirit of European values. ‘The Centre for Peace and Cooperation ‘Maria Star’ is the place for these efforts,’ said Bishop Komarica.

Justice and truth as necessary conditions for peace are the main theme of the speech by Franjo Topić, President of the Pan-European Union of Bosnia and Herzegovina. He said that true peace requires the observance of God's commandments. They promote justice and fairness in a society where there is no reconciliation without the truth. ‘Reconciliation and appeasement require the recognition of crimes. This means that society must recognise all victims, regardless of their affiliation, in order to achieve true peace. At the same time, the lack of courage and maturity can only lead to an apparent political peace,’ emphasised Topić. ‘Peace is crucial to achieve stability and security in Bosnia and Herzegovina and to promote social progress, economic growth and development. But it is also crucial for regional stability, because in Bosnia and Herzegovina there are still many wounds from a multitude of conflicts throughout history,’ said Professor Topić, concluding that peace is everything and that everything is nothing without peace.

Elmedin Konaković, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina, addressed the participants of the conference, stating that in today's time of economic and political challenges, it is necessary to work together to strengthen and achieve the goals of the European Union in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Bosnia and Herzegovina is working hard to fulfil its commitments to the EU, he said, pointing out that it is important to speed up negotiations in order to achieve peace, stability, democracy and the establishment of the rule of law.

The President of the Romanian Pan-European Union, Alexandru Nazare, warned in his statement that Romania and Bulgaria, which have fully completed the evaluation process for joining the Schengen zone, are still not fully-fledged members. ‘These two countries play an important role in protecting the European Union from migration crises and other external threats, which is why their accession to the Schengen area would protect Europe from upcoming threats,’ Nazare added.

Andrej Lepavcov, President of the Pan-European Union of Macedonia, spoke about the complex problems of the Macedonian accession process to the European Union and the increasing efforts of the Western Balkan countries to realise European values. ‘Croatia celebrated its 10th anniversary this year, which is a great success that we all greatly appreciate,’ he said. However, he also warned that in the Macedonian accession process it was necessary to ‘change the constitution and apply the protocols written in neighbouring Bulgaria, which denies the existence of Macedonian identity’. Lepavcov pointed out that the European Union must support the EU enlargement process in view of the numerous difficulties with neighbouring countries.

At the end of the programme in Banja Luka, a Holy Mass was celebrated in the parish church of Marija Zvijezda, presided over by Bishop Komarica.

The conference in Zagreb was moderated by the Secretary General of the Croatian Pan-European Union and Deputy Secretary General of the International Pan-European Union Vanja Gavran, while the Vice-President of the Pan-European Union of Bosnia and Herzegovina Snježana Šušnjara moderated the conference in Banja Luka.

The conference ended with the meeting of the Presidency of the International Pan-European Union in Zagreb on Sunday, 29 October 2023.

The conference was organised by the Croatian Pan-European Union in cooperation with the Pan-European Union of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the International Pan-European Union under the auspices of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Croatia. Support was provided by the Hanns Seidel Foundation - Zagreb office, the Konrad Adenauer Foundation - representations in Zagreb and Sarajevo, and the Croatian Cultural Society ‘Napredak’ - Banja Luka branch.

• Conference programme (EN) PDF)
• Musical programme (EN) (PDF)