Celebrating Europe Day and the Importance of a United Europe
May 9 is a day to celebrate. It marks Europe Day, the anniversary of the Schuman Declaration.
And I want to dedicate a few words to this important day.
But first, let’s give some background.
Just after WWII, on May 9, 1950, the French foreign minister Robert Schuman proposed the creation of a European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) between France and West Germany.
The proposal aimed to integrate the coal and steel industries of France and West Germany, which were previously used to fuel wars between the two countries, into a single common market to promote peace and economic cooperation.
The Schuman Declaration is considered a pivotal moment in the history of European integration, as it laid the groundwork for what would eventually become the European Union. The ECSC was later expanded to include other European countries, and other European institutions, such as the European Economic Community (EEC) and the European Community (EC), were also created.
Today, I believe Europe is currently the best place in the world to live in.
And I consider myself an ardent supporter of Europe and its values.
I have taken full advantage of all the possibilities this union has given me. From roaming, a one-year Erasmus experience, one of the most prestigious European scholarships (Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions) scholarship to fulfill my double doctorate between Spain and Germany. And now, I curate the communication of European research projects in my job.
These research projects are made of research institutes, small and medium-sized enterprises, universities, and national associations that come together in 4-year projects to meet the challenges of the European future. They join forces, their knowledge to meet the EU priorities. And they do it together.
Today, I especially feel lucky to have been born in one of the founding countries of Europe.
Not everyone has my good fortune to have been born here, though. When I was in Canada, many of my friends from the Middle East were always surprised at my decision to move overseas when I could instead have traveled, worked, and lived in any Europe country without needing a visa and without leaving my continent. (At that time, I needed a different experience.)
Others, however, even if residing in one of the member states, have no way of getting in touch with what the European Union represents. And I often reflect that if I had stayed in my city for one reason or another, I would have missed much. I would never have appreciated what a united Europe offers to everyone. This is especially true given the various independence drives in different states (see Catalonia or Basque Country in Spain, Bavaria in Germany, South Tyrol in Italy, etc.).
And why this happens is simple.
Because in the small town, in the suburb, whether there is Europe or not does not change anything.
On the contrary, the EU is often associated with what changed for the worse, often referred to as price increases, closure of productive poles, or unfavorable welcoming and migration laws for those who want to preserve their identity.
And that is what I want to reflect on today.
The motto of the European Union is "United in diversity."
But is that the case?
Let me explain, do we feel so different among Europeans?
Yes, of course, we do have different traditions and ways of approaching life, but have you ever found yourself abroad talking to one of your peers, and did you notice such a profound difference in values, concerns, and worldview?
In more than eight years of living abroad, I haven't.
I haven't seen any substantial differences whether I am talking to a Spanish, Finnish, German, Greek, etc. On the contrary, what I did notice was shared values among us.
Those foundational values that long history has written. Human rights, civil rights, freedom, democracy, rule of law, and equality.
That allows us to be united and envied by the world.
However, I hope this sentiment will deepen without harming the traditions that characterize each country.
Why? Because if each nation, albeit economically powerful, in a few years, will no longer count much.
Think of the BRICS, which can no longer be considered emerging countries. And now consider, for example, Germany or France, which are currently two European countries with the highest strength in the world arena. But what is (and what actually can do) France or Germany in front of China or India? Or do we want to talk about those little regions seeking independence?
Europe is big only when it acts compact. Otherwise, we will never be a superpower, and we will be under the “games” of the bully of that political moment (call it USA, Russia, China, etc.).
The only way to continue to matter globally is to have a Europe more united than ever:
One language within the member states (English)
A cohesive foreign policy,
While building and preserving human rights at its core.
This is the path forward.
This blog was inspired by Tomas Pueyo - The Future of the European Union
