The European Union

EU SYMBOLS

The European flag consists of 12 golden stars in a

circle on a blue background. The stars symbolise

the ideals of unity, solidarity and harmony

among the peoples of Europe.

EUROPE DAY. The ideas behind the European

Union were put forward on 9 May 1950 by the

French foreign minister, Robert Schuman. Speaking

in Paris in 1950, Robert Schuman proposed a new

form of political cooperation for Europe, which

would make war between Europe’s nations unthinkable.

His vision was the creation of a supranational European

institution that would manage pooled coal and steel

production. A treaty creating such an entity was signed

just under a year later and came into force in July 1952.

This is why 9 MAY is celebrated as ‘EUROPE DAY’.

THE EU MOTTO. "United in diversity" is the

motto of the European Union. It signifies how

Europeans have come together, in the form of the

EU, to work for peace and prosperity, while at the

same time being enriched by the continent's many

different cultures, traditions and languages.

CURRENT LEADERS.

PRESIDENT OF THE EUROPEAN COUNCIL: Herman Van Rompuy

PRESIDENT OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: Martin Schulz

PRESIDENCY OF THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION (rotating 6-month

term): Cyprus

PRESIDENT OF THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION: Jose Manuel Barroso

1950

9 May - Robert Schuman, the French Minister of Foreign Affairs, makes an important speech putting forward proposals based on the ideas of Jean Monnet. He proposes that France and the Federal Republic of Germany pool their coal and steel resources in a new organisation which other European countries can join.

1951

18 April - In Paris, six countries — Belgium, the Federal Republic of Germany, France, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands — sign the Treaty establishing the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC). It comes into force on 23 July 1952, for a period of 50 years.

1957

25 March - In Rome, the six countries sign the treaties establishing the European Economic Community (EEC) and the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom). They come into force on 1 January 1958.