Europe Day 2013 - 63rd anniversary of the Schuman Declaration, Strasbourg - Main contents
| date | May 9, 2013 |
|---|---|
| city | Strasbourg, Paris, France |
| location | Salvador de Madariaga building (SDM)  |
| attending | D. (Dalia) Grybauskaite i, R. (Robert) Schuman i et al. |
| organisation | European Commission (EC) i |
On 9 May, Europe will celebrate the 63rd anniversary of the Schuman Declaration.
Sixty-three years ago, on 9 May 1950, the then French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman made the first move towards the creation of what we now know as the European Union. He read a declaration to the international press in Paris, calling on France, Germany and other European countries to pool their coal and steel production as "the first concrete foundation of a European federation". It is remarkable that only five years after the end of the most dreadful conflict in Europe, the Second World War, he proposed the creation of a supranational European institution, to take charge of the coal and steel industry, the very sector which had made the war possible. The countries which he called upon had almost destroyed each other, and reconciliation was a brave thing to imagine at that time.
9 May became Europe Day in 1985, with many public manifestations in Member States to celebrate European achievements.
As every year, the Commission, along with the other EU institutions, will open its doors to citizens, on Saturday 4 May. For the first time, the European Commission is working with the Brussels 'Iris Festival' which will see the streets of Europe's Capital come alive with concerts and street entertainment on Sunday 5 May.
Members of the Commission will take part in events across Europe:
On 9 May, President Barroso and Commissioner Malmström will speak at the State of the Union conference of the European University Institute in Florence, an annual event for high-level reflection on the current state and future perspectives of the European Union.
On 4 May, Vice-President Reding and Vice-President Šefa ovia will inaugurate the improved European Commission visitor's centre which has been relocated to be closer to the seat of the institutions. On 4 May, Vice-President Reding will also participate in a debate with citizens on the future of Europe (La Tentation, Brussels).
On 9 May, Commissioner Almunia will attend the XIX edition of the Salvador de Madariaga European Journalist Award in Spain (Tenerife), in collaboration with the Association of European Journalists and Representation of the European Commission and the European Parliament in Madrid.
On 7 May, Commissioner Kroes will deliver a speech at a Europe Day event in The Hague. On 8 May, she will attend the festival "Celebrating Europe" in Maastricht.
On 9th May Commissioner Tajani will attend an event on the "Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs" programme (Bocconi University, Milan). He will congratulate some entrepreneurs who took part to the programme for the success of their exchange. Commissioner Tajani will also give a speech on the importance of young and creative entrepreneurs to create new jobs and growth in Europe.
Vice-President Šefa ovia will be in Bratislava on 8-9 May to deliver the introductory speech at a concert organised by the information office of the European Parliament and European Commission Representation. He will also participate in the National Convention plenary session on the Future of Europe.
Commissioner Potoa nik will participate in the Citizen’s dialogue on 9 May in Ljubljana. The topics of the discussion will be the future of the EU, economic and financial crisis and environmental challenges such as growth of population, increased consumption, increasing pressures on natural resources, how to ensure future economic competitiveness and growth – with sustainability and resource efficiency being part of the solution.
On 9 May, Commissioner Piebalgs will open the official reception given by the European Union representation in Riga for Europe day and meet with the Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Rinkevics.
On 9 May, Commissioner Vassiliou will be meeting with youth (about 100 persons expected) to talk about "Europe & Youth". In her introduction, she will highlight the opportunities that Europe offers to youth today.
On 9 May, Commissioner Šemeta will attend the official award ceremony of the International Charlemagne Prize in Aachen which will be awarded to Dr Dalia Grybauskaite.
On 9 May, Commissioner Geoghegan-Quinn will launch the ‘Taste of Europe’ Open Door Event, at the European Commission Representation Office in Dublin.
On 11 May, Commissioner Lewandowski will be a guest of honour of the Schuman Parade in Warsaw. He will also participate in the Citizen's Dialogue in Warsaw organised at the occasion of the Europe's Day. More information: http://schuman.pl/polskie-spotkania-europejskie .
On 9 May Commissioner Füle will attend the Conference ‘’Croatia: Welcome to the European Union!’’ in Prague and will deliver a speech as part of its Seminar entitled ’What Croatia brings to the EU and what the EU brings to Croatia’’.
In the context of his visit to Turkey on 8-10 May, Commissioner Andor will attend the Europe Day reception organised by the EU Delegation in Ankara.
EU Delegations around the world will celebrate Europe Day by organising events such as European Film Festivals, discussion panels and youth competitions. For more information: http://www.eeas.europa.eu/eu-and-citizens/europeday/intro_en.htm (operational on 1 May).
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5.Footage from various events will be available on EbS
President Barroso's website:
http://ec.europa.eu/commission_2010-2014/president/index_en.htm
State of the Union conference:
http://stateoftheunion.eui.eu/
Pia Ahrenkilde Hansen +32 2 295 30 70 pia.ahrenkilde-hansen@ec.europa.eu
Leonor Ribeiro da Silva +32 2 298 81 55 leonor.ribeiro-da-silva@ec.europa.eu
The European Commission is the executive body of the EU and runs its day-to-day business. It is made up of the College of Commissioners, 27 European Commissioners, one for each member state, who are each responsible for one or several policy areas. In addition, the 'Commission' also refers to the entire administrative body that supports the Commissioners, consisting of the Directorates-General and the Services.
The European Commission is the sole EU body capable of proposing new legislation. The Commission also performs an oversight function, monitoring whether European legislation is properly implemented in the member states. In the event of non-compliance, the Commission can coerce a member state to comply by starting a legal procedure at the European Court of Justice.