Europe Should Not Pose as ‘Chosen Civilization’ - Czech FM

Europe should stop posing itself as a “chosen civilization” having started two world wars and a Cold War that resulted in the current state of world affairs, Czech Foreign Minister Lubomír Zaorálek told the Czech parliament on Thursday during the discussion of the Association Agreement with Ukraine.

The Czech Parliament addressed the issue of ratification of the Association Agreement, which has already been approved by the European Parliament and now must be approved by the parliaments of all members of the European Union (EU). The discussion in the Czech Parliament became heated after Miroslav Kalousek, a leader of the right-wing party TOP 09, told Zaorálek to decide toward which direction he wants Czech Republic to lean – the West or the East.

In return, Foreign Minister replied that people should not be quick to put Europe on a pedestal. He reminded that Europe was responsible for starting two world wars that resulted in the death of millions.

“These wars were not waged by someone from the East, but we, ourselves, caused them. We, as Westerners, are responsible for the gas chambers, where millions of people were killed like rabbits. The entire history of the West is full of blood.” – Zaorálek said.

The Association Agreement is a document signed between the EU and a non-EU country to create a framework for cooperation. The agreement covers the development of political, economic, social, cultural, and security ties between the EU and non-EU states.