Europe Day: an occasion for activities that bring Europe closer to its citizens, peoples of the EU closer to one another
Regional-European Union, Politics, 5/12/2003

On 9 May 1950, the first move was made towards the creation of what is now known as the European Union. In Paris that day, against the threat of a Third World War engulfing the whole of Europe, the French foreign minister Robert Schuman read to the international press a declaration, known as the "Schuman declaration," calling France, Germany and other European countries to pool together their coal and steel production as "the first concrete foundation of a European federation."

On the occasion of Europe Day, Romano Prodi, the president of European Commission has delivered a message in which he said: "On 9 May 1950, a great European, Robert Schuman, made the declaration we are commemorating today. It marked the start of the long journey towards a united Europe. A Europe built on peace and solidarity. On democracy and the rule of law. A Europe in search of unity of purpose and action."

It paved the way for a Community of shared values and common interests. So today is a day for pride. Others have joined us on this journey. We grew from six to nine. To ten. Then twelve. And now we are fifteen. And last month another ten countries signed to become members of our Union. We have come a long way since 1950.

We have pooled sovereignty in many areas. This has made us stronger collectively. We have the single market, a single currency. A single trade policy and soon a single European sky. And there are many other dimensions where we have made progress towards unity.

This technical progress was essential. Robert Schuman said "Europe will not be made all at once, or according to a single plan." He believed that progress in practical matters would bring political advances. And he was right. The "Europe" Robert Schuman dreamed of was much bigger than the original six members.

For years we spoke of a "Europe" that was far from reality. A Europe that encompassed only part of our continent. Thanks to the ongoing unification, Europe's division into two blocs is a thing of the past.

There are still gaps. But they will gradually be filled. The door is open to the Balkans.

I am firmly convinced that the European unification process will be only complete on the day all the Balkan States are members.

I am also convinced it is vital for the enlarged Union to build a new special relationship with all its neighbours, from Russia to the Mediterranean States.

Europe is now taking form geographically. And it has to face fundamental decisions on its structure and, above all, on what it wants to be.

Europe must also take form politically. But the journey to political unity is a difficult one.

So today is also a day for humility. Because we still have to take the key decisions on what we really want to be, what we really want to do together, and how. The time has come to decide. For the moment, many political and institutional issues are still unsettled.

We have to redouble our efforts to ensure that tomorrow's Europe will really be more democratic, more efficient and less complex. I have compared the European project to a journey -- along a road. A journey with stages, obstacles, detours. We are now at a crossroads. A difficult, delicate choice faces us.

The lessons of fifty years of integration and recent international events must serve to guide us. To make the best choice for the peoples and the States of Europe. If Europe stops seeking the unity that can give it political substance, it will drift. Today we have a chance.

The European Convention is meeting. It is debating the Constitution for tomorrow's Europe. We must not waste that chance. We must make sure the Convention succeeds. That it takes us forward, not backwards.

That it comes forward with a Constitution that is good for all. For the small and the large countries. A Union based on balance, mutual understanding and clear common goals.

A system that does not drop its best features. A system that can grow and adapt to new political facts and new challenges. The European Union is unique. It is the only supranational democracy.

But it is not complete. We are not at the end of our journey. I believe Europe's history shows us the way to the future. It has given us the antigens we need to resist the ills of our past. Let us not jettison the method that has brought us so far. Let us not abandon our quest for unity in democracy." Europe Day is the occasion for activities and festivities that bring Europe closer to its citizens and peoples of the Union closer to one another.

European integration has delivered half a century of stability, peace and economic prosperity. It has helped to raise standards of living, built an internal market, launched the EURO and strengthened the Union's voice in the world.

The European Union ( EU) was set up after the 2nd World War. The process of European Integration was launched on 9 May 1950 when France officially proposed the creation of " the first concrete foundation of a European federation. Six countries ( Belgium, Germany, France, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands) joined from the very beginning.

Today after four waves of accessions ( 1973: Denmark, Ireland and the United Kingdom; 1981: Greece; 1986: Spain and Portugal; 1995: Austria, Finland and Sweden ), the EU has 15 Member States and is preparing for the accession of 10 eastern and southern European countries.

The European Union is based on the rule of law and democracy. It is neither a new State replacing existing ones nor is it comparable to other international organizations. Its member states delegate sovereignty to common institutions representing the interests of the Union as a whole on questions of joint interest. All decisions and procedures are derived from the basic treaties ratified by the member states.

Principal objectives of the EU are: establish European citizenship; Ensure freedom, security and justice; promote economic and social progress and assert Europe's role in the world.

The EU is run by five institutions, each playing a specific role: European parliament ( elected by the peoples of the member states); Council of the Union ( Composed of the governments of the member states); European commission ( driving force and executive body; court of Justice ( compliance with the law); and court of Auditors ( sound and lawful management of the EU budget).

Moreover, Five further bodies are part of the Institutional system: European Economic and Social Committee ( expresses the opinions of the organized civil society on economic and social issues); Committee of the regions ( expresses the opinions of regional and local authorities on regional policy, environment and education); European Ombudsman ( deals with complaints from citizens concerning mal-administration by the EU institution of body); European Investment bank ( contributes to EU objectives by financing public and private long- term investments); and European central bank ( responsible for monetary policy and foreign exchange operations). A number of agencies and bodies complete the system.

Moreover, the decision making at the European Union level is the result of interaction between various parties, in particular the "institutional triangle " formed by the European Parliament, the Council of the European Union and the European Commission.

The court of auditors, the economic and social committee, the committee of the regions, the European Central Bank and the Economic and Financial committee also intervene in many specific areas. The rules for this decision - making procedure are laid down in the Treaties and cover every area in which the European Union acts.

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