European Union – Europe Day (9 May 2018)
© MEAE / Judith Litvine
Today, May 9, all over Europe we are celebrating our membership in a union in which peace and stability, freedoms and the protection of rights, prosperity and solidarity have co-existed for more than 60 years.
Europe Day commemorates the declaration made by Robert Schuman, Foreign Affairs Minister at the time, on May 9, 1950, in the Salon de l’Horloge at the Quai d’Orsay, which is considered to be the founding text of European integration.
France is committed to refounding Europe and has strong ambitions for the EU: reinvented sovereignty, strengthened unity based on our values, a vibrant democracy.
Europe Day 2018 will also mark the launch of the first pan-European online citizens’ consultation, which will complement the physical meetings in the 27 member states. Today at midday, the European Commission will launch a consultation in 24 languages, inviting 450 million Europeans to respond to a questionnaire put together by a citizens’ panel, which is accessible in French (http://www.quelleestvotreeurope.fr).
To mark Europe Day, Minister for European Affairs Nathalie Loiseau met with young Europeans this morning to talk about our determination to refound Europe and the citizens’ consultations. At 2:30 pm she will take part in a debate at the Senate on the EU in the face of the challenges posed by security, migration and borders. At 5:00 pm, she will moderate a citizens’ consultation at the Maison Européenne de la Photographie, together with Government Spokesperson Benjamin Griveaux, and deputy, Pacôme Rupin.