May 9, the day that changed the history of Europe

On May 9, member states of the European Union celebrate Europe Day, a symbolic date marking the beginning of the European project for peace, cooperation, and integration among the countries of the continent.

This day is linked to the historic declaration made on May 9, 1950, by former French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman, who proposed the creation of a common structure for managing coal and steel production among European states.

The aim of this proposal was to prevent new conflicts in Europe, just five years after the end of World War II. The idea was to place coal and steel production under a shared supranational authority, laying the foundations for cooperation between countries that had previously been enemies during the war.

In 1952, the European Coal and Steel Community came into force, bringing together France, West Germany, Italy, Belgium, Netherlands, and Luxembourg. This organization is considered the first step toward the creation of the European Union.

Later, in 1957, the European Economic Community was established through the Treaties of Rome, further expanding economic and political cooperation across the continent.

Together with German Chancellor Konrad Adenauer, Schuman is regarded as one of the main architects of European integration and reconciliation between France and Germany after the two world wars.

In 1985, European leaders decided that May 9 would officially be recognized as Europe Day. Today, the European Union consists of 27 member states and remains one of the largest political and economic cooperation projects in the world.

“KORÇA BOOM”