66 years ago the Schuman Declaration

09/05/2016

66 years ago an ignition spark set in motion the most fascinating democratic process ever seen in the history of humanity and that we are leaving now in the European Union.

In the afternoon of May 9, 1950 the French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman made in Paris the historical declaration that marked the beginning of European integration process. Also inspired by Jean Monnet, Schumann, after underlining that "World peace cannot be safeguarded without the making of creative efforts proportionate to the dangers” proposed that “ Franco-German production of coal and

steel as a whole be placed under a common High Authority, within the framework of an organisation open to the participation of the other countries of Europe”.

Deeply aware of the European history and especially of the tragedy of two world war that in less than 30 years broke out in the heart of Europe, the courageous and farsighted leader said: “Europe will not be made on it once, or according to a single plan. It will be built through concrete achievements which first create a de facto solidarity”.

Less than a year later, on April 18, 1951 the first concrete implementation of the Schuman’s declaration took place with the foundation of the “European Coal and Steel Community” Treaty was signed by six European States.

A lot has happened up to now since that historical day that we celebrate every year as “Europe Day”.

Many goals have been achieved: first of all PEACE in Europe! Many projects have been promoted for creating cohesion among European countries. After the fall of the Berlin Wall many countries that for decades were suffocated by the communist system joined the European Union whose institutional buildings in Brussels and Strasbourg run up now 28 national flags.

Despite the great achievements we can’t say in these day that we are totally satisfied with the development of a European Project, with several hopes and inspiring principles almost  wrecked: first of all that solidarity that Schuman in his declaration considered basic element for European unification. The attitude of national governments of EU member states towards the migration epochal phenomenon and even the entire European integration, the rise of nationalisms and the reinstatement of border controls within the Schengen area, which aroused the enthusiasm of millions of Europeans and other people worldwide, make us said and worrying.

Today is a day that should invite everybody, first of all the policymakers both at national and European level, to think seriously about the future of the European Union, which is not an opportunity but a necessity if we want to face the growing challenges of the times ahead.

We need to recast both domestic and foreign finalité of the European Union, but without changing the basic principles that inspired the founding fathers of the European project, to whom today we need to pay immense gratitude for their courageous and farsighted visions and actions.

Paolo Magagnotti

EJ President