Together for 50 years

Not only history, politics and institutions; but also youth, schools, culture and local authorities. The fiftieth anniversary of the creation of the European Economic Community (Eec) and of the European Community of Atomic Energy (Euratom) falls on 25 March: the Eu is arranging various events to celebrate this important birthday. The more “predictable” commemorations, of a political character, will be complemented by others, now in course of definition, which are intended to address European citizens more directly. THE BERLIN SUMMIT. The heads of state and of government will meet for an extraordinary and “informal” summit in the German capital, under the aegis of the government headed by ANGELA MERKEL , current President of the European Council. The summit on 24-25 March will be something of a hallo-and-goodbye affair, little more than what’s needed for the traditional “family photo”, a press conference and the simultaneous diffusion of the Declaration on the Future of Europe, which is now being drafted by a group of diplomats and “wise men”, grappling with the difficult task of trying to mediate between the positions of the 27, in other words between the supporters of an acceleration of the process of integration and the champions of a more modest single market, for whom the Constitution would be more a hindrance than a gain. On this point Merkel was explicit: she intends to seek the approval by her political colleagues by June this year for a “road map” that would “lead to the definitive approval of the Constitutional Treaty” within the first half of 2008 (under the French Presidency of the Council), i.e. before the elections to the European Parliament” in the following year. If “we fail to proceed in this direction, explained the Chancellor, it would be “an historic error”, which could put at risk the whole construction of Europe. SLOGAN AND INTERNET SITE. In Brussels, meantime, a sort of “Plan B” for the celebrations has opened: a programme of events “that would like to involve citizens in these celebrations to mark the 50th anniversary of European integration, with the aim not only of celebrating the history of the Community and its successes, but also of looking forwards, to the future of the EU”. In this sense the Barroso Commission and in particular the Swedish Commissioner MARGOT WALLSTROM , who holds the portfolio of relations with citizens and civil society, are getting mobilised. Wallstrom is responsible for the competition that led to the choice of the slogan for the 50th anniversary, “Together since 1957”, and the recent opening of the portal http://europa.eu/50/. The website contains not only the programme of events, but also a potted history of the Community, with a summary of its achievements, personalities, current problems, spaces for the debate on issues common to the 27 and information on specific events. In the list of the celebrations – which could be further enlarged, perhaps disproportionately so – have also been inserted the activities promoted in schools (9 May: Europe Day, the project “Spring of Europe”, the competition “Translation? Yes”), the 20th anniversary of Erasmus, events associated with the European Year of Equal Opportunities, and, not least, the Europalia Festival focused on cultural diversity. The website contains not only the programme of events, but also a potted history of the Community, with a summary of its achievements, personalities, current problems, spaces for the debate on issues common to the 27 and information on specific events. In the list of the celebrations – which could be further enlarged, perhaps disproportionately so – have also been inserted the activities promoted in schools (9 May: Europe Day, the project “Spring of Europe”, the competition “Translation? Yes”), the 20th anniversary of Erasmus, events associated with the European Year of Equal Opportunities, and, not least, the Europalia Festival focused on cultural diversity.YOUTH SUMMIT. “The 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome undoubtedly deserves to be celebrated and we are happy that the peace project called Europe has reached this goal. At the same time, we are conscious of the need to go beyond the sentimental aspect of the celebrations and look to the real future of the Community project”, says BETTINA SCHWARZMAYR , President of the European Youth Forum, and one of the organizers of the “Youth Summit”, planned to be held in Rome on 24-25 March. The EU institutions have invited 200 under-30-year-olds to a forum for discussion and exchange that will be an integral part of the celebrations for the Treaty of Rome. The debates will focus on various issues: Constitution, European social model, sustainable development, education in the EU. The final message of the Summit will be sent to the heads of state and of government gathered in Berlin. REGIONS AND “TERRITORIAL DIMENSION”. Again in Rome, a major congress will be held on the European identity, the process of integration and the contribution of believers promoted by the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Community (COMECE). There will also be a meeting of the 344 representatives of the Committee of the EU Regions that has announced it will hold its spring plenary session in the city in which the founding Treaties of Europe were signed in 1957. “The assembly – explain the organizers in the Committee’s headquarters in Brussels (rue Belliard) – will be an important opportunity to focus attention on the reality and richness of the regional and territorial dimension of the European project”. The “Declaration of the Cities and Regions of Europe”, “a document that will identify the main priorities and objectives of the local authorities”, will be adopted during the meeting and forwarded to the European Council meeting in Berlin.