On the 75th anniversary of the Schuman Declaration, the Presidents of the European Parliament, European Council, and European Commission issued a joint statement from Luxembourg, honouring the visionary plan that laid the foundation for the European Union.
Speaking from Robert Schuman’s birthplace, the leaders reflected on the historic 1950 proposal to pool coal and steel production – a move designed to prevent future wars through economic and political integration. “It paved the way for an era of prosperity, peace, democracy, solidarity, and cooperation in Europe,” the joint statement noted.
The leaders acknowledged that while Europe has come a long way, the core mission of the EU, ensuring peace, remains unfinished. “Russia’s aggression against Ukraine has brought war to our doorstep,” they said, adding that global instability and climate change present additional challenges.
Reaffirming the EU’s core values, the presidents highlighted enlargement as a key geopolitical investment, expressing continued support for Ukraine’s path toward EU membership. They also pledged to strengthen Europe’s economic competitiveness, social progress, defence capabilities, and global partnerships.
“Europe is master of its own destiny,” the statement concluded, emphasising that the spirit of the Schuman Declaration continues to guide the Union’s pursuit of peace, prosperity, and unity.
Europe Day marks the anniversary of the Schuman Declaration, presented on 9 May 1950. This signalled a new era for peace, integration and democratic cooperation in Europe, laying the foundations for the European Union as we know it today.
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