The European Union is turning 50 – a reason for real celebration. For the signing of the Treaties of Rome in 1957 was the start of an unprecedented success story. As President of the European Council, Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel has invited all the Heads of State and Government of the other 26 EU Member States, the President of the European Parliament Hans-Gert Pöttering and the President of the European Commission José Manuel Barroso to Berlin for the occasion.
On Saturday afternoon they will all arrive in Berlin. A city that symbolizes like no other the healing of the division of the European continent. As the Chancellor emphasized in her weekly video message published today, "we have succeeded in overcoming the division of the Cold War and we have succeeded in bringing together almost the whole of Europe in the European Union."
Sampling cultural diversity
This afternoon Chancellor Merkel will welcome the Heads of State and Government in front of the Berliner Philharmonie. The festivities will begin with a gala concert. The Berliner Philharmoniker with their conductor Sir Simon Rattle will perform the work "Folk Songs" by Italian composer Luciano Berio and Ludwig van Beethoven's 5th Symphony ("Destiny").
Afterwards the 27 Europeans will be received by Federal President Horst Köhler at Schloss Bellevue. Before the guests sit down to dinner, German astronaut Thomas Reiter will let them discover Europe from an entirely different angle – with photographs from outer space. Over the years Thomas Reiter has spent five months in outer space and is Europe's most experienced astronaut.
Berlin Declaration: Taking stock and looking ahead
The official anniversary ceremony will take place on Sunday morning in the German Historical Museum. After a number of short speeches – including one by the Federal Chancellor – a "Berlin Declaration" will be signed.
The intention of the Berlin Declaration is to recall the EU's achievements and the shared heritage and values of its Member States. The central core of the document addresses the challenges facing the 27-member community and the ensuing tasks that lie ahead. The Declaration is short and easy to read, as it is written from the perspective of the Union's citizens.
Preserving achievements
For Europe's future it is clearly crucial to maintain a balance between economic success and social responsibility. As the Chancellor pointed out in her video message, "we have to strive through innovation and creativity to safeguard the European social model. We can only achieve this through a combination of growth, employment, innovation and social cohesion".
In addition the EU plans to unite its efforts in the foreign-policy field and work together to combat terrorism and fight poverty, hunger and disease. "We will have to move closer to establishing a common European army," Angela Merkel also noted in an interview with the Bild-Zeitung on 23 March. Energy policy and climate protection are another important focus.
Launch of the "Europe turns 50" information tour
After lunch at the Hotel de Rome the Chancellor will launch the "Europe turns 50" information tour at the Pariser Platz. This travelling exhibition on "everything you want to know about Europe" will visit over 50 German cities by the end of June 2007.
Also on Sunday the German Government is hosting a huge open-air festival around the Brandenburg Gate. A lively combination of music, culture and information will be on offer, with a fireworks display as the grand climax.
Europe for museum buffs and party-goers
This evening at 18.00 h the Berlin State Museums open their doors for the "Celebration of Europe's Beauty". On the Museum Island and at the Kulturforum near the Potsdamer Platz visitors can discover selected highlights showing how beauty has been conceived in Europe down the ages.
The European Club Night kicks off at 23.00 h. In over 30 clubs around Berlin DJs from all 27 EU Member States will be demonstrating how vibrant and exciting the European music scene is.
Further InformationVideo message by Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel
