Background Story

The notion of a strong Europe is currently losing substance. The sovereign debt, the Euro crisis, the migration challenge, the situation with COVID-19, etc. seem to have melted down the European idea to a mere cost-benefit calculation, thus leaving social-political and institutional aspects mostly unattended. The frustration and resignation in various European countries prove, that decisions, that are based on mere economic pragmatism, are not suitable for the creation and maintenance of social and political prosperity. The process of European integration is on hold.

In this respect, the region of Central-Eastern and Southeastern Europe (abbreviated CESE or MOSO in German for Mittelost- und Südosteuropa) is in a centered position. With the accession to the European Union, the people of e.g. the Balkans or Baltic states are not only hoping for economic upswing, but also for social and political change in their countries. Taking today’s reality into account, it has shown, that despite EU-membership some states were not able to overcome old social-political issues. It seems as if the European Union has surrendered its ideals and values – such as democratic stability, social solidarity or the political security of peace and freedom – for contemporary mainstream ideologies. Therefore, the European Union is neglecting their social-political responsibilities for an European integration.

This negligence involves further consequences. EU-members, such as the Visegrád countries, have started to turn their back on the European Union and increasingly propagate nationalism rather than supranational cohesion. Even states, that have an eye on EU-membership, are losing the persuasion and passion for an European perspective. As a consequence, necessary political processes are on a standstill, resulting in social resignation and thus leading to political instability and a social lack of perspective in these countries.

The Forum für Mittelost- und Südosteuropa (FOMOSO) wants to counteract these desintegrational tendencies and seeks to move socio-political aspects of the European idea back in centre of political discussion. Consequently, this was one engine why to found FOMOSO in 2016.