On May 9, the calendar marks Europe Day, commemorating the Schuman Declaration in 1950. The historical plan was a proposal to place the French and the West German production of coal and steel under one single authority, which would later become the European Union. Less than a month out from the European elections, what does this Europe Day have in store?
In light of Europe Day, celebrated on May 9, EU member states – and those with accession ambitions – reflected on the bloc’s achievements and future plans for the union. The day promoting peace and unity across the continent coincides with Russia, among other countries, celebrating the victory over Nazi Germany in 1945.
The European Newsroom (enr) joined European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to the Ukrainian capital Kiev on Europe Day, 9 May. AFP’s Dave Clark was on the ground reporting for the enr-pool.