Comment: EU Day lets us celebrate shared history

EUROPE Day, writes Alex Orr, is an opportunity to celebrate the EU and all it has achieved 65 years on from the historical declaration
By The Newsroom
Published 9th May 2015, 13:36 BST
EU and Saltire flags hang over Edinburgh. Picture: Ian GeorgesonEU and Saltire flags hang over Edinburgh. Picture: Ian Georgeson
EU and Saltire flags hang over Edinburgh. Picture: Ian Georgeson

Today celebrations take place across Scotland and the rest of the European Union (EU) to mark Europe Day, an annual celebration of peace and unity across the continent.

As an example, yesterday festivities were held on Castle Terrace in the Capital, with stalls representing a number of EU countries and EU institutions.

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The day is also known as Schuman Day, commemorating the historical declaration 65 years ago on May 9, 1950 by the French foreign minister, Robert Schuman, which marked the first move towards the creation of the European Union. Europe had just come out of the Second World War, a conflict that had nearly destroyed the continent and split it between two spheres of influence.

In a desire not to repeat such destruction, there was a great deal of momentum towards European co-operation. Wartime British Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, standing next to Robert Schuman, had called for Franco-German reconciliation in a united Europe in a speech in July 1946.

Through the Schuman Declaration the French foreign minister proposed the creation of a supranational European institution. This led firstly to the creation of the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC). It was also the forerunner of several other European Communities and also what is now the European Union.

The ECSC was founded on the principle that tying former arch-enemies economically together – originally through the weapons of war of coal and steel – would assist in ending the horrors of such conflicts and deliver much-needed reconciliation. And it has proven to be highly successful in transforming a previously warring continent.

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The EU ensures that member states co-operate peacefully. And the creation of the single market has also made us richer than we would have been without it. The EU has also been an inspiration for those who are fighting for the values of freedom and democracy across the world.

As we mark 70 years of VE Day, it does no harm in being reminded what we have enjoyed, the precious gift of more than 60 years of peace and stability, and the role of the European Union in delivering this achievement must be recognised and celebrated.

• Alex Orr is a board member of the European Movement

Related topics:ScotlandEurope