"This parliament represents 500 million European citizens, who elect their members with universal suffrage. It is a legislative and balance sheet organ within the European Union. It appoints the Commission and controls its working. It is a fundamental institution in the framework of the integration process, and we must further strengthen parlamentarianism to render the very EU even more democratic". Today, in the afternoon, Hans-Gert Poettering, president of the European parliament, addressed an official speech to the Strasbourg Hemicycle where the fifty years of the institution were being celebrated. Poettering mentioned Robert Schuman several times. Schuman presided over the first meeting of the parliamentary assembly. He also mentioned other founders of Europe, including Jean Monnet and Paul-Henri Spaak. In the auditorium, there were the representatives of all the other community institutions, the former presidents of the Assembly, exponents of the national parliaments of the 27 member States. The official session was followed by a few joyous events, including a concert by the European Union Youth Orchestra (22 musicians from 18 different countries). The execution of the "Hymn to Joy" by Beethoven, the hymn of the Union, was followed by the whole standing-up audience.
