MINORITY PROTECTION AND THE ENLARGED EUROPEAN UNION:
THE WAY FORWARD

At the end of the year 2004, seven articles on the EU's past, current and future enagagment in the field of minority rights were put together in the book "Minority protection and the enlarged European Union: The way forward". The editor Gabriel N. Toggenburg succeeded in organizing together a convincing circle of well known experts in the field. The contributions written by De Witte, Hofmann, Friberg, Peers, Sasse, Hoffmeister, Guglielmo and Toggenburg provide an in depth insight into the questions at stake. The remarkable book is introduced by Michl Ebner, rapporteur of a European Parliament's report on minorities. From page 163 to 173 the reader finds the "Bolzano/Bozen Declaration on the protection of minorities in the enlarged European Union" which also has been sent to all heads of States and Government s. This respective document has had a significant importance because it has helped frame the debate on the EU's role in the policy field of minority protection. . The book was published by LGI/OSI in Budapest and can be ordered free of charge online at http://lgi.osi.hu/publications_datasheet.php?id=261. This link even offers free access to the full text of the book.

• The opinion of Olivier De Schutter, former Coordinator of the EU Network of Independent Experts in Fundamental Rights:

This volume constitutes an important and timely contribution to the question of whether, and how, the Union should take action in order to improve the protection of minority rights in Europe. Distinguished experts in the fi eld have joined together to suggest answers at a moment when the enlargement of the Union offers a unique opportunity to shed new light on this issue—and on the related issue of the coordination between the policies of the Union and the protection of minorities by the Member States, the Council of Europe and the OSCE. The resulting collection of essays is truly compelling and is an indispensable tool to anyone interested in the protection of fundamental rights in the Union.

• The opinion of John Packer, Former Director in the Offi e of the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities

A straightforward, reasoned and consistent treatment of minorities within the European Union context has been overdue for some time. This compilation of informed and constructive essays provides a welcome policy-oriented contribution to what is an ever more pressing subject. Recent and continuing EU enlargement has only underlined the importance of managing minority-related issues in a peaceful and productive manner. The Bolzano/Bozen Declaration that accompanies these essays shows the way forward. Interested policy and law-makers, and all those affected by these matters, will fi nd here a useful, practical and achievable set of recommendations. Responsible politicians and offi cials should take these up in the new European public interest. If Europe is to continue to evolve and even to lead as a progressive open society composed of stable and prosperous democracies, it should follow the approach and program offered herein.