On the 9th of May 1950, French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman issued a declaration calling for Germany, France, and other countries to unite their coal and steel production.
The Schuman Declaration, as it’s known, marks the beginning of the creation of today’s EU, celebrated annually on the 9th of May.
It’s a historic day, a milestone in the grand project of building a common future based on principles and values. However, it also involves various, sometimes conflicting, interests, which to some extent are expected and normal.
The EU is our common home. Despite problems, shortcomings, disappointments, and distortions, it undeniably remains our common home. Austerity policies imposed have resulted in severe social impacts, affecting the most vulnerable groups of the population.
After all, the European Union is a living organism, constantly evolving and adapting to developments and circumstances.
The European Union has collectively achieved many things related to improving quality of life.
Through compromises and aiming for a better future for all European peoples, much has been accomplished. However, it’s evident that much more can be done, particularly towards enhancing the quality of life and the prosperity of nations, aligning policies with the interests of the majority of citizens.
The inability to solve problems, especially social and economic ones, unfortunately, fuels Euroscepticism. As a result of this trend, right-wing extremism is, unfortunately, on the rise.
To change this trend, initiatives need to be taken and policies implemented that satisfy citizens, giving them relief during a prolonged period of crisis and austerity.
Our future is European. It is free and peaceful, with respect for human rights, the implementation of which is essential for all peoples.
The EU has the potential to promote policies for a better future and to be a global economic and geopolitical force. This requires a unified policy on fundamental issues.
Today is another anniversary, the anniversary of the antifascist victory. The end of the bloodiest war humanity has ever known. The casualties during the war reached 50 million. The war ended, Nazism was defeated.
