On May 9, the European Union (EU) marks the symbolic date when Robert Schuman put forward his ideas on a united Europe to bring lasting peace and prosperity to the continent.
“The core of Schuman’s vision was to build Europe not by a single decision or a single design but step by step, by pooling sovereignty, and building solidarity through common projects.
And that is what has happened,” writes Catherine Ashton, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, and Vice-President of the European Commission.
It is a testament to Schuman’s vision and that of others that this family of democratic countries has grown in size and scope.
What started off as a coal and steel community and then turned into a broader economic club has since turned into an outward-looking Union with a growing role and reach, both in its neighbourhood and globally.
The ambition to build a credible EU foreign policy received a major boost this year with the launch of the European External Action Service (EEAS) on January 1. The EEAS will act as a single platform to project European values and interests around the world.
The stated aim is to forge a better, more coherent common EU foreign policy and developing European answers to complex global problems. The message from Europe to the world is: we want to work together to tackle some of the biggest challenges we all face. And with the EEAS in place we will be a better, more capable partner.
On Europe Day, the EU takes the opportunity to remember where it came from and how far it has come.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 9th, 2011.
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