European war princess3/23/2023 But this was truly creative and imaginative. We seldom talk about politics as being creative. These six countries became the founding fathers of the European Union. This was also a response to the external challenge from the Soviet Union and the Warsaw Pact – which, nowadays, is rarely mentioned in the promotional story of the European project. Because only ten years after the second World War, six countries – including Germany – voluntarily came together to share sovereignty in the production of coal, steel, and nuclear energy, thereby internationalising the hardware of war and creating the basis for sustainable peace, security and prosperity in Europe. This sounds basic, but 72 years ago this idea was equivalent to a moon-shot. The Schuman Declaration imagined lasting peace in Europe based on pooling resources and sovereignty. This duality is woven into the declaration that Robert Schuman published on, exactly 72 years ago: “World peace cannot be safeguarded without the making of creative efforts proportionate to the dangers which threaten it.” We have great cultural heritage… and have fought the most terrible wars in world history. To understand why, let ‘s go back to the beginning.Įurope is a continent of thinkers, artists and inventors and of warriors and demagogues. A day that traditionally celebrates peace and unity in Europe – here in Amsterdam and across the continent. What does Europe Day mean in 2022? In a year when war has returned to Europe?Īnd yet, today ís Europe Day. So I stand here with some trepidation… what do my words matter when only a few thousand kilometers away, war is destroying lives, cities and dreams…. I wonder how many people imagined today’s world we’re living in… Exactly 10 years ago, I stood here in the same spot, asking the audience to close their eyes and imagine the future of Europe.
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