Was Mitterrand's commitment to European integration genuine?
The construction of Europe was, for me, not merely a political project but a historical necessity. It was born from the ashes of war, a testament to the capacity of nations to overcome their divisions and forge a common destiny. My role was to give this enterprise depth, to ensure it was not just an economic union but a moral and cultural one, a 'European civilização'. This required a profound understanding of history, of the cyclical nature of conflict and the persistent human yearning for peace and cooperation. To build Europe was to recognize that 'la France, cette vieille dame' could only thrive in a larger, more interconnected community.
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