The celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Treaties of Rome have begun.
With the signing of the Treaties of Rome on 25 March 1957, the foundation stone for the European Union was laid. The Heads of State and Government of all 27 Member States have gathered here today in Berlin to celebrate the occasion. This morning they adopted the Berlin Declaration. This weekend the German capital is Europe's focal point and the central venue for the celebrations.
Federal Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier yesterday opened the Festival of Europe at the Kulturforum with the President of the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation, Prof. Klaus Dieter Lehmann, at his side. The Minister emphasized that cooperation among the countries of Europe had brought both peace and stability. Freedom of travel and a common currency, too, had made clear that Europe was a remarkable success story. Since many of its achievements were taken for granted especially by the younger generation, however, this anniversary should be a time for older people and younger people to engage in a real dialogue with each other. The younger generation, he noted, had scarcely any recollection that today's Europe had been built from the ruins of the Second World War.
President Lehmann of the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation took the opportunity to invite visitors from all over Europe to visit the Berlin State Museums for a Celebration of Europe's Beauty. "What we have planned for you tonight, " he explained, "is a journey to discover the many different faces of Europe's beauty." From 18.00 h to 2.00 h a series of exhibitions and special events in Berlin presented selected highlights of European art down the ages. At 23 h the European Club Night also kicked off. In over 30 clubs around Berlin people danced the night away in the company of DJs, bands and live projects from all 27 EU Member States.
Today's celebrations for the new Europe's 50th birthday will continue until late evening. Under the motto "Voices of Europe" artists and entertainers from a host of European countries will be performing around the Brandenburg Gate. At the many stalls visitors can find information on Europe and other topics and also, thanks to the "EUrope is what it eats" initiative, sample cakes and other culinary delights from all 27 Member States. At 20.00 h Europe's birthday celebrations will climax with a grand fireworks display to music performed by the RIAS Youth Orchestra.
More information is available at the website www.eu2007.de.
