In a few days, the ‘Schuman Declaration‘, considered today as the true birth certificate of the European Union, will be commemorated by Europe Day throughout the Union.

On 9 May 1950, Robert Schuman, Minister for Foreign Affairs, gave a speech calling for coal and steel production to be pooled under international authority. This speech laid the foundations of the Union that we know today. The primary objective was to maintain peace in a Europe united by economic ties, in particular through the reconciliation of the Franco-German couple. 

Europe Day is the occasion to celebrate the founding act of the Union by multiplying events, workshops or conferences in the Member States but also to make known the multitude of European policies and funding programmes that implement them.

Indeed, the Union offers aid in a variety of areas such as mobilising citizens (Europe for citizens), humanitarian aid (EDF), transport (TEN-E), energy, environment (LIFE), education (ERASMUS +), innovation (H2020), agriculture (CAP), aid to SMEs (COSME), etc.

Nevertheless, Europe Day has a special significance this year since it comes at a time when many are wondering about the future of the Union. The Commission’s White Paper (presented in March 2017) attempted to answer these questions by proposing five potential scenarios for the EU’s future. It will still be necessary to wait for the European Parliament elections, which will take place in June 2019, to obtain an answer since this question will most certainly be at the heart of the European citizens’ vote.