The European Diplomatic Service: a “Nelson Mandela” building in Brussels?
(BRUSSELS2) The building of the European diplomatic service (EEAS) still has no name, apart from that given by its promoter "The Capitals". Name never used. Why not give him a baptismal name today, a baptismal first name, that of a man who has just left today for other countries: Nelson Mandela...
A name that rings in the ears of Europeans
"Mandéla". This is a name that rings in the ears of all Europeans. A personality that has been very diverse in his life. He spent part of his life in prison, and if he was a follower of non-violence, he was not a peaceful soul either, not disdaining the punch; he is all the same one of the initiators of the military branch of the ANC which committed some sabotage. But the man did not hesitate either to reach out to his old enemy, to weave peace with the former Boers in power in South Africa, at the cost of a thousand difficulties. His country, one of the first regimes, subject to significant economic sanctions on the part of part of the international community, has now regained a prominent place on the continent. We find there all the vectors of European diplomacy: negotiation, dialogue but also the stick of sanctions or even force when necessary. Always with one goal: peace!
The goal of peace
Naming this building "Mandela" or "Madiba" (his nickname) would also pay homage to this dark continent where the European diplomatic service is so present. It is, to my knowledge, the only organization to have an embassy in almost all African countries. Incidentally, this would avoid heartbreaking choices between certainly intelligent but sometimes partisan names.
