The Significance of Europe Day Go back »

2008-05-09 | All chapters

On 9th May 1950, the first move was made towards the creation of what is now known as the European Union. During the Milan Summit of EU leaders in 1985, the 9th of May was adopted as “Europe Day”.

Back in Paris on 9th May 1950, against the background of the threat of a 3rd World War engulfing the whole of Europe, the French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman read to the international press a declaration calling France, Germany and other European countries to pool together their coal and steel production as "the first concrete foundation of a European federation".

To view the Europe Day Message 2008 from Dr. Benita Ferrero-Waldner, EU Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood Policy, please click here.