Each year on May 9th, Europe Day celebrates peace and unity in Europe. This date marks the anniversary of the “Schuman Declaration.”
On this day in 1950, Robert Schuman, the French Minister of Foreign Affairs at the time, proposed in a historic speech in Paris a new form of political cooperation for Europe, which would make any war between the continent’s nations unthinkable.
His ambition was to create a European institution that would pool and manage the production of coal and steel. A treaty establishing such an organization was signed less than a year later.
Robert Schuman’s proposal is considered the birth certificate of what is now the European Union.
After the tragic events in Paris and Brussels, Europe Day 2016, with its theme of “living together,” will be an opportunity to joyfully celebrate European diversity and the ties that unite us as European citizens.
As Jean-Claude Juncker, President of the European Commission, and Martin Schulz, President of the European Parliament, jointly declared, “the soul of Europe is its values.”
Recalling the words of Pope Francis, who reminds us that “a Europe that looks to man and defends and protects his dignity is a precious point of reference for humanity,” they highlight the three challenges we face:
The first is to preserve our way of life. We must remain united, because at stake is none other than our European social model, built on democracy, the rule of law, solidarity, and human rights.
The second is the guarantee of security and peace. In light of the global situation, we cannot afford to waste our energies on managing national vanities.
The third concerns the management of migration issues. The task is so great that no member state can handle it alone, but together we can share this responsibility.
As President Jacques Chirac once reminded us, “the building of Europe is an art. It is achievable.”
by Garibaldino
