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On 9 May 1950, Robert Schuman made history by proposing
the creation of Community devoted to peace. In so doing
he extended a hand to yesterday’s enemies and
erased the bitterness of war and the burden of the past.
In addition he set in motion a new process in international
relations by proposing that the old nations jointly
exercice their sovereignity in order to recover the
influence of which they were no longer capable alone.
Europeans now settle their differences through peaceful
means, applying the rule of law and seeking conciliation.
The spirit of superiority and discrimination has been
banished from relationships among the Member States,
wich have entrusted to the four Community institutions,
the Council, the Parliament, the Commission and the
Court of Justice, the responsability for mediating their
conflicts, for defining the general interest of Europeans
and for pursuing common policies.
After a half century of Community history Europeans
still have much soul-searching to do: what basic values
are important and what are the best ways to safeguard
them? How can we ensure that everyone becomes involved
in the Community undertaking and give them the feeling
of a European identity wich complements and goes beyond
national solidarity? How can we bring every European
citizen closer to the institutions of the Union and
give everyone a chance to embrace the project of a unified
Europe wich was long the preserve of diplomats and civil
servants?
A Convention on the Futur of Europe was convened by
the Heads of State and Government of the European Union
to address these issues. It met under the presidency
of Valéry Giscard d’Estaing between February
2002 and July 2003. The debates among the 105 members,
nominated by the parliaments and governments of the
15 EU member states and the 13 candidate countries as
well as the European Parliament and the European Commission,
resulted in a draft treaty for a European Union constitution.
For the first time in the history of European intregration,
European citizens are likely to live together based
on a constitution written with the strong participation
of their directly elected representatives. The federal
character of this constitution, which must clearly be
strengthened in the years to come, ensures that Europe
will preserve the diversity of cultures and languages
and the traditions which make it what it is, while at
the same time making its voice heard throughout the
world, promoting the ideal of democracy and defending
its economic and strategic interests.
As we approach the dawn of the third millennium, a
look back at the 50 years of progress towards European
integration shows that the European Union is a historic
success. Countries that were enemies, and in most cases
ravaged by the most horrific atrocities this continent
has ever known, today share a common currency, the euro,
and manage their economic and commercial interests within
the framework of joint institutions.
“What we now need to build is a union of hearts
and minds, underpinned by a strong shared sentiment
of a common destiny – a sense of common European
citizenship.”1
1) Romano Prodi, President
of the European Commission, addressing the European
Parliament on 14.9.1999
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