Europe Day
May 9, 2008 3:05 PM
The flag of the European Union
You may have noticed the Europe Day banner at the top of the page today. May 9 is Europe Day because back in 1950, just a few years after the countries of Europe were tearing themselves apart in a bloody world war, and a short time after coming to terms with the discovery of the worst atrocities committed in modern times, someone had the vision to speak out in favour of political, economic and social cooperation between the countries of Europe and to ask the people of Europe to turn their backs on centuries of conflict and work together instead for peace and prosperity.
On 9 May 1950, French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman, delivered a declaration calling for France, Germany and other European countries to pool coal and steel production as a first step to greater, closer cooperation.
Nearly 60 years later, whatever its faults, the European Union has brought together 27 countries with another three waiting to join. The Liberal Democrats have always believed the UK's membership of the European institutions. The EU has been instrumental in promoting peace, stability and human rights across Europe and has strengthened the security of the UK. We do not think it is faultless and we say it must be reformed to become more democratic, transparent and accountable. Its role should be clearly defined and limited.
But today is worth a commemoration.
You can find out more about Europe Day and the EU at:
http://europa.eu/abc/symbols/9-may/index_en.htm
You can also find out about the work of Liberal Democrat MEP Liz Lynne, with links to other Euro sites at:
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