9 May 2017 - A good Day for Europe

On the 9th May we celebrate Europe.

Indeed, 67 years ago the nations of Europe were still struggling to overcome the devastation wrought by World War II. The Schuman Declaration proposed the creation of a European Coal and Steel Community, and it was thought – correctly – that merging of economic interests would help raise standards of living and be the first step towards a more united Europe.

It is during those 67 years that the European people went from being the Auschwitz generation to the Erasmus generation.

However, over the last several years, the economic collapse, terrorism and the following refugee crisis have severely hurt Europe.

But today is a good day for Europe. The landslide victory of Emmanuel Macron, accompanied by the European anthem “Ode to Joy,”  gives Europe hope.

Now it is time to stop talking and start acting. Now is the time to continue building our Europe, our future and that of our children.

And although we should not lose the memory of the wars on which form Europe's foundation, we must engaged in a positive project, invested in a future good for all.

So, let's build on what we’ve done the past 70 years, and as repeatedly said since Sunday night: let's not yield to fear. Let's not yield to division. Let's not yield to falsehood.

Vive l’Europe! Now more than ever.

 

Luca JAHIER (IT)

President of the Various Interests' Group of the EESC

Work organisation