Journée de l’Europe
“Europe will not be made all at once, or according to a single plan. It will be built through concrete achievements which first create a de facto solidarity.”
The quote is from the Declaration presented by the French foreign minister Robert Schuman on 9 May 1950. The declaration proposed the creation of a European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC), which today is seen as the first steps toward the European Union. At that time Europe was still suffering and trying to overcome the devastation from World War II and the creation of the ECSC had the very vital purpose to prevent another war between the nations of Europe.
On 9 May this year the intention of the Schuman Declaration and its achievements will be commemorated in particular in times where Europe again is struggling to find a common path and when solidarity sometimes seems to be forgotten. European citizens and politicians are called to remember and commit to the core values that the European Union is founded upon andto be the bearers for solidarity and community. This is something that all citizens of the European Union should keep in mind on Friday and consider for the upcoming Election to the European Parliament on 25 May 2014.