EU opens doors to mark Europe Day
Europe Day logo
(BRUSSELS) - The European Union's main institutions threw open their doors to the public Monday, marking Europe Day, May 9, a celebration of the anniversary of the founding of the EU.
Local EU offices in Europe and all over the world organised a variety of activities and events for all ages.
May 9 marks the day in 1950 when Robert Schuman, one of the founders of the EU, made his 'Schuman Declaration', which outlined a vision to unite separate European states into a single community.
This year's theme is 'United in Diversity'. The Day's logo involved 6-8 year old children in schools in Paris and Brussels, and was devised in the context of the European Year for Development. The logo highlights the important role played by the EU in supporting and funding of Development projects in poorer regions of the world.
At his speech in Paris, French foreign minister Schuman set out his idea for a new form of political cooperation in Europe. The process would be gradual, however. "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," he said.
He hoped his plan would ensure future peace in Europe – particularly peace between France and Germany. He proposed pooling the coal and steel production of different European countries and argued that this common venture would 'make it plain that any war between France and Germany becomes not merely unthinkable, but materially impossible.'
The European Steel and Coal Community created after Schuman's speech eventually grew into today's European Union. The original six members (France, West Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg) now number 28.
All of the EU institutions are opening their doors, giving the public an opportunity to find out more about the European Union and how it works.
There will also be a concert in the Hague by the Marine Band of the Royal Netherlands Navy, who will conclude with the final movement of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony - the European anthem.