History of EU
We hope that by reading this page you may find some new information about the European Union (EU). Since Croatia is about to become a member of this large community, let's take a look at its historical development.
All great conquerors like Caesar, Napoleon and other army leaders used force to try to unite the European countries but all their efforts failed. The EU was eventually founded in 1951 as a result of cooperation and integration of six European countries: Belgium, Luxembourg, France, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands. Today, the EU consists of twenty-five countries. Denmark, Ireland and Great Britain joined the EU in 1973 and in 1981 Greece became a member. In 1984 Portugal and Spain joined in, Austria, Finland and Sweden in 1995, whereas Slovenia, Hungary, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Cyprus, Poland, Czech Republic and Slovakia had to wait till 2004 to be accepted as members.
There are other countries that want to be a part of the EU. They have to bring their laws in coordination with the European laws, open their borders for free trade with the member states and respect their ideals and objectives. In the next couple of years Bulgaria, Romania and Croatia are expected to enter the EU. Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Monte Negro and Albania are considered to be potential future members.
Numerous clashes and tragedies of the European countries during the First and the Second World War inspired many diplomats and politicians to deeply consider and find a solution of unification that would contribute to peace and prosperity of the European people. This idea was given a great political stimulus by Winston Churchill in his speech held in September 1946 in Zurich where he spoke about the possibility of French-German partnership. He suggested a structure of “United European Countries” as a means of making the whole Europe happier and free. His supporter was Count Richard Coudenhove-Kalergija who advocated the idea of a free and united Pan Europe. They were joined by the French economist Jean Monnet whose proposal of French and German joint jurisdiction over coal and steal industry was accepted in 1950. Other European countries were invited to join in. The proposal of creating the European Union for coal and steal was called the Schumann Declaration and was published on May 9, 1950. It is considered to be the first political document on the grounds of which a gradual union of the west European countries into a larger whole started. May 9 is celebrated today as the Europe Day. In 1957 members of the EU signed a new treaty in Rome creating thus the European Economic Community (EEC). The idea was to create a common European market not only for coal and steal but for other products, such as food products, too. Members of the community have gradually lifted customs duty to insure restriction-free trade. In that year the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) is founded too. In 1992 the European Economic Community changes its name into European Union.
The flag of the EU was designed in 1955 and displays twelve golden stars which represent the union of the European people and symbolize perfection. The other symbol of the EU is the anthem “Ode to Joy” composed in 1986. Within The EU there is an organization called the Council of the European Union, seated in Strasbourg, which promotes democracy, human rights and the rule of law in the countries of the EU. The Council was founded in London on May 15, 1949 by ten European countries: Belgium, Denmark, Ireland, France, Italy, Luxembourg, Norway, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and Sweden. Today, it consists of forty-four members including the Republic of Croatia which became a member on November 6, 1996. EU's successful development inspired country leaders to proclaim May 9 the Europe Day, in memory of the historical Schumann Declaration. This resolution was confirmed on the summit in Milan on June 28 and 29, 1985.
There, by now you must have eaten at least a bag of crisps and have had a bottle of Coke, but we are sure it was worth it!!!
Joy!
Joy, beautiful spark of God,
Daughter of Elysium,
We enter, fire-drunk,
Heavenly, your shrine.
Your magic reunites
That which custom has strongly split;
All humans will become brothers
(Schiller's original:
What custom's sword has parted;
Beggars become princes' brothers)
Where your soft wing whiles.
Whoever has succeeded in the great attempt
To be a friend of a friend;
Whoever has achieved a lovely wife
Mix in your joy!
Yes, also whoever only one soul
Calls his own around the world!
And whoever has never known of this,
Steal away crying out of this group!
All beings drink joy
At the breasts of nature;
All the good, all the bad
Follow her trail of roses.
She gave us kisses and vines,
A friend, proven in death;
Great pleasure was given to the worm,
And the cherub stands before God.
Glad, like his sun flies
Through heaven's splendid plan,
Run, brothers, your race,
Joyful, like a hero to the victory.
Be embraced, millions!
This kiss to all the world!
Brothers, over the starry firmament
Must live a loving father.
Do you bow down, millions?
Do you sense the Creator, world?
Seek him beyond the starry firmament!
He must dwell beyond the stars.
Kalaba Anatolian Vocational High School, Ankara/Kacioren / Turkey
Mr. Camalettin Sener
cemalettinsener@hotmail.com