March 25, 2007 is the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Rome which established the European Economic Community, which became the European Union. Europe is using the birthday to pause, look back, celebrate and look forward. Sunday will see the Heads of Government issuing a statement on the future so before that, it's worthwhile looking back at what has been achieved.
First, a few British Euromyths to dispel. Contrary to reports over the years, as the BBC points out, the EU has not demanded the UK change to the metric system, banned straight bananas, insisted that the snack "Bombay mix" be renamed "Mumbai mix", required barmaids' breasts be covered, forbidden the British sausage, stopped firemen using their poles, outlawed the corgi dog or changed the name of British style yoghurt to "fermented milk".
The original 6 members have been joined by 21 others. The borders now stretch from the Arctic to Mediterranean, the Russian border to the Atlantic (and North and South America and North Africa if you count all the territories). More over the flip.
This from the Europa site explains what Europe is celebrating:
The signature of the Treaty of Rome on 25 March 1957 created our European family. Fifty years later, we are coming ever closer together. While remaining diverse in culture, language and traditions, our unity is based on common values: freedom, democracy, the rule of law, respect for human rights, and equality. Fifty years later, we have a lot to celebrate.
Peace and stability
Fifty years without war between any of the countries which now make up the EU is unprecedented in history. Integration, and expansion from six to 27 countries, has played a major part in that. The EU has at the same time become a force for peace in the world.
Freedom and democracy
Democracy is one of our core shared values. Among these values, the EU has entrenched freedom by adding new freedoms – freedom for people and goods to move across its borders. We can study, work or live in another EU country with a minimum of red tape, and enjoy health and social benefits everywhere. Travel across the EU is increasingly passport-free. The EU has also laid the foundations of an area where borders are not an obstacle to justice or security.
Prosperity
Citizens of the EU enjoy some of the world’s highest living standards, while enjoying some of its highest social standards. This is the European way: to balance increasing prosperity with the European social model. Combined economic strength has also brought global responsibilities, which the EU reflects in its trade and aid policies.
Jobs and growth
Working together has brought a single market – the world’s largest free trade area, a single currency shared by the majority of the EU’s citizens, and common standards of environmental protection and product safety. This has created jobs and growth and expanded our choice of competitively priced goods and services.
Perhaps the greatest of these achievements is the first. The 20th century was a cycle of war and peace. In the 21st armed conflict between the members is almost inconceivable. It's perhaps a measure of how far we have come that the head of the European peacekeepers in Bosnia is a German.