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LINKING PEOPLE, JOINING NATIONS
and Caucasian states declared independence. Both East and West
Germany were to merge into the one Germany after decades of
physical separation and, when Iraq invaded Kuwait, the Middle
Eastwas todeliver uncertainty to anunsettledworld.TheBalkan
Wars were another serious concern whenYugoslavia collapsed
and Slovenia and Croatia declared independence. Within a short
time, in 1993, the European Economic Community eliminated
trade barriers and created a single market. The Maastricht Treaty
also took effect, formally establishing the European Union
with all the concomitant effects that it would have on
terms of trade, labour markets and many other issues
that would impact on IIW and the welding industry.
Initially it was thought that the massive political and structural changes presaged
a period of peace and political stability in the world. Such expectations were to come to
naught very quickly. What effect this would have on IIW was unknown but the immediate
concern would be a decline in membership numbers. Dispelling fears to some extent, both
Slovenia and Croatia acted quickly by applying for separate IIW memberships and were
accepted as individual members a short time later which brought the total membership to
39 countries. Similarly, when Czechoslovakia broke up into two distinct countries (Czech
Republic and Slovakia) any potential loss of membership was averted when both re-joined
IIW as individual members.
In questioning IIW’s role in these uncertain times Prof. Slobodan Kralj
(Croatia), after undertaking a study on the composition of IIW, was quick
to draw comparisons. ‘It was noted that of the 39 members of IIW most are
mainly industrially developed countries with a high gross national product.
Generally those countries that might have significant benefit from IIW are
poor and industrially under-developed countries.’ Kralj was to comment
further that ‘…this imbalance was due to lack of understanding of the
structure and work of IIW’, indicating that such countries were unaware of
the benefits and role of IIW and how it was able to assist them.
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Despite the
uncertain times, Iran (1990), Romania (1990), Greece (1991) and Russia
(1995), along with Slovenia and Croatia (1992), the Czech Republic and
Slovakia (1993) were added to or re-joined the ranks of the IIWmembership
over this period of instability.
The turmoil and upheaval in the political structure of Europe did have profound
effects on Member Countries as well as for IIW. The Secretary General of IIW was to make
general comment on this. ‘Of particular significance to the IIW is that for the first time
the effect of international sanctions has prevented us from conducting our usual business
Slobodan Kralj