Today, May 9th, we celebrate Europe Day, a symbol of the ideal of unity and peace on the European continent. This significant day commemorates a historical event, the declaration of the Schuman Declaration on May 9th, 1950, which laid the foundations for the European Union (EU).

A Turning Point in History: The Schuman Declaration

In the aftermath of the devastating effects of World War II, the question of how to establish lasting peace in Europe was at the forefront. It was during this critical period that French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman presented a visionary proposal on May 9th, 1950, which would profoundly influence the future of Europe. The text, which went down in history as the Schuman Declaration, proposed pooling the coal and steel production of France and Germany under a common authority, and inviting other European countries to participate in this cooperation.

At the heart of Schuman’s radical proposal was the idea of preventing future wars by linking economic interests. Coal and steel were the key raw materials of the war industry at the time. The joint management of these sectors would eliminate potential areas of conflict between the countries and increase mutual dependence.

The Seed of the European Union

The Schuman Declaration heralded the birth of a new model of cooperation in Europe. Following this declaration, the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) was established in 1951 with the participation of Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands. The ECSC was the first concrete step in Schuman’s vision and marked the beginning of the integration process that would evolve in the following years into the European Economic Community (EEC) and finally the European Union.

The Adoption of May 9th as Europe Day

Due to the historical significance of the Schuman Declaration for the future of Europe, the European Council in Milan declared May 9th as “Europe Day” in 1985. Since then, this significant day has been celebrated every year in EU member and candidate countries with various events. Europe Day offers an opportunity to highlight Europe’s unity, diversity, and common values.

The Significance of Europe Day

May 9th, Europe Day, not only commemorates the past but also encourages us to reflect on the present and future of Europe. This day is an opportunity to reaffirm Europe’s commitment to its fundamental values such as peace, democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. At the same time, it reminds us of the need to find common solutions to global challenges and strengthen cooperation.

Today, on the occasion of Europe Day, we call for working together for the future of our continent and strengthening the spirit of solidarity. With the hope that the ideals of peace and cooperation, which form the foundation of the European Union, will always remain alive, we wish you a happy Europe Day on May 9th!