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Interview with Walter Schwimmer, Secretary General of the Council of Europe, on the occasion of the presentation of his book “The Dream of Europe” at the Vienna Parliament.

Austria (7.11.2003)

Question: Many books have been published on the theme of Europe and European reunification recently. What inspired you to write another book on the subject, and how does your book differ from the others?

Walter Schwimmer: I wanted to stress, perhaps more than other books on Europe, long-term historical trends and developments. I also thought that my personal experience as Secretary General of the oldest international organisation, which brings together 45 member states, could enlighten the reader on the backdrop to - and the cohesion of - the European unification process.

Question: In your book you write about your path towards Europe, towards the Council of Europe, and towards your work as Secretary General. Did your view of things change during the writing of the book?

Walter Schwimmer: Perspectives obviously change. Initially you have more ideas about what others should do. Then about what you yourself can do. But the crucial element - my dream of a peaceful, democratic Europe in which men and women are free to make their own decisions, are aware of their rights, and can be sure of enjoying those rights - has not changed. Thankfully, we have already gone a long way towards achieving that goal, but work remains to be done, and I find the opportunity to personally play a part in that process fascinating.

Question: The book is also about the Schwimmer family’s European history. What message would you like to send to the Europeans and the Europe of today?

Walter Schwimmer: We are all Europeans, and always have been. We have our own specific identities, of which we can be proud. Myself, I am happy to be both Viennese and Austrian, although my ancestors came from Alsace, from Slovakia and from Bohemia. But through the awareness of my European origins I feel close emotional ties not only with Hochstatt, near Mulhouse, and Sveti Jan, in Moravia, but also with all Europeans. The lesson to be learnt from all this, including from the difficult periods in my family’s history - a history which all Europeans have shared - must be love for and attachment to one’s home country, but not nationalism, and certainly not chauvinism.

Question: Which parts of the book do you recommend that readers begin with?

Walter Schwimmer: That is really a question of personal preference. Those who share my love of history will start with Chapter 1. Those who are impatient to know about the latest developments in European integration will start with the last chapter. Those who are more interested in ideas should perhaps start with the dreams of statesmen, or go even further back to Baroness Bertha von Suttner’s dream of eternal peace or Count Coudenhove-Calergi’s Pan-European dream. My children will perhaps start with the family history and my own career. In other words, the book has something for everyone!

Question: The book was translated into Russian and presented at the Moscow Book Fair at the beginning of September, then at the Frankfurt Book Fair and now, in German, at the Vienna Parliament. Will there be versions in any other languages?

Walter Schwimmer: Naturally I wrote in German, my mother tongue. I am obviously very proud to present the book in my own country, Austria, at the Vienna Parliament, on the invitation of its President, Professor Kohl. I am also very happy that the President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Peter Schieder, should be present. Following the Russian and German versions, versions in English and French – the official languages of the Council of Europe – are being prepared. But Europe is well known for being a continent of cultural and linguistic diversity, which is why further translations, in other languages, will follow.