Schuman Declaration May 1950
Just five years after the devastation of World War II, Europe was desperate for a lasting solution to prevent future conflicts. Schuman's radical proposal was to place Franco-German coal and steel production under a common, supranational High Authority. His rationale was simple yet profound: by pooling the vital resources necessary for war, conflict between historic rivals, particularly France and Germany, would become "not merely unthinkable, but materially impossible."
This proposal led to the creation of the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) in 1951, which included France, West Germany, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg. The ECSC was the first of a series of supranational institutions that gradually evolved into the European Communities and, eventually, the European Union (EU). The EU formally established May 9th as Europe Day in 1985.
Why It Is Important to Celebrate It Today
Celebrating Europe Day is important because it serves as a yearly reminder of the EU's core values and its greatest achievement: peace.
- Commemorating Peace and Unity: It marks the shift from centuries of conflict to a project built on cooperation, solidarity, and democracy. It celebrates the unity that has brought stability and prosperity to the continent.
- Affirming Shared Values: The day promotes and reaffirms the fundamental values that underpin the EU, such as human rights, freedom, and the rule of law, which are crucial for addressing current global and geopolitical challenges.
- Connecting Citizens: The celebration, often involving open days at European institutions and cultural events across member states, helps foster a sense of shared European identity and encourages citizens to engage with the democratic processes of the Union.
This initiative has been created by the Renew Europe CoR Group and supported by the European Committee of the Regions.