Dear Reader,

With this being the last issue of DT – Diplomacy & Trade before Hungary’s European Union accession, we bid farewell to an era. The European family will grow by 10 next month – and is seen as an important step for both Hungary and Europe. It is the occasion for celebration and commemoration. It is a celebration of what Hungary and its neighbors have achieved since the systemic changes, and a commemoration of the long and troubled road that led us here today.

In this issue, we visited our neighbors and spoke with the prime minister of Slovenia – a country that joined NATO this month and next month will accede the European Union along with Hungary. We talked to Prime Minister Anton Rop about the role of Slovenia as a bridge to the Balkan states, the role of regional partnerships and the Hungarian-Slovenian relationship. We also look deeper into Slovenia’s past and examine how this country was able to get a jump-start on its Balkan neighbors in the EU integration process.

We also analyze the tenuous situation in Macedonia, a country that recently mourned the tragic death of a leader who did much to initiate fragile unity in his country. Similarly, far-off in Haiti, the international community was focused on the tumultuous ousting of former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide. We look at this country too, and how the troubled republic can achieve stability for its impoverished peoples. Finally, we have included a glimpse into the forthcoming Olympic Games in Athens, which is sure to be a historic occasion, as the games return to their land of origin.

Peter Freed
Publisher