The sixtieth anniversary of the signing of the Treaties of Rome

Brussels, 25 March 2017

It was exactly sixty years ago today that the Treaties of Rome were signed. They were neither the first nor the last that European countries would agree between themselves, but they marked a crucial stage in the enlightened, noble and bold process that able women and men launched in the aftermath of a terrible war that had seen the most heinous crimes.

This process was the exact opposite of that which had just ravaged Europe and the world. Against all that had wrought destruction, against violence, hatred, racism, selfish nationalism, dictatorship, the senselessness and the trampling of human rights – against all this it placed what was to be built: peace, democracy, justice, freedom, fairness, collaboration, dialogue, solidarity and respect for others.

What was created that day was an "economic" community, but the preamble left no doubt about what this initiative implied: the signatories affirmed "as the essential objective of their efforts the constant improvement of the living and working conditions of their peoples". They declared themselves "resolved [...] to preserve and strengthen peace and liberty" and were not afraid to call upon "the other peoples of Europe who share their ideal to join in their efforts", having stated that they were anxious to reduce "the differences existing between the various regions and the backwardness of the less favoured regions". Clearly, the ultimate aim of the economic community were peoples, individuals, citizens and their lives.

There are still quite a lot of us who know what Europe was like in 1957, because we experienced it. And how it continued to be, sadly, for many of us through some difficult years – because the six signatory countries were still only six. The Community that was taking shape, for all the criticisms that can be levelled against it, was a great boon to the people who benefited from it. And it was a model and a source of hope for those who aspired to join, if only as a way out of hardship and dictatorship. I have known a time when nobody in the Community itself seriously questioned the principle behind it – it was rather the slow pace of progress that was criticised – and when virtually everybody outside it saw accession as an ideal.

Rereading these old documents and accounts and pausing a little to think about our history is not a theoretical research exercise or a form of nostalgia. It is very much something of the moment: we have the duty of leaving our children a world in good order, preferably a world "sustainably" so in all respects, even if nothing is ever gained for all time and we always have to invest to move forward.

It is the Treaty establishing the European Community that created the European Economic and Social Committee, which it described as consisting of "representatives of the various economic and social components of organised civil society, and in particular representatives of producers, farmers, carriers, workers, dealers, craftsmen, professional occupations, consumers and the general interest". It was a wise decision for two reasons: firstly, because it enabled the institutions to hear the views of civil society organisations – even if this term was not yet in use in 1957 – and, secondly, because not only did it enable these organisations to express their views, but – and above all – it put them around a table in Brussels and set them the task of getting to know one another, respecting one another, talking together, drafting opinions together and being part of the process.

There are a number of things in the Treaty – general principles – that were fair and "politically astute" and which, in the light of the history, remain so.

It is for us to put them centre stage, because this is what counts. We have a duty to say what the European Union is, why it is there and what purpose it must serve.

It is up to us to ensure that, in keeping with the spirit that governed at the foundation of the Community, the EU is united, democratic, solidarity-based, peaceful, prosperous and responsive to its citizens.