ISTANBUL

The European Union on Thursday marked the 75th anniversary of the Schuman Declaration, the founding document that laid the groundwork for European integration and, ultimately, the EU.

“We celebrate an idea that brought us together: the idea of a united Europe. It all began with the Schuman Declaration—a brief document, but one with a powerful idea: that by working together, we could make war not only unthinkable, but impossible,” European Council President Antonio Costa explained on a video issued on X.

“Today, even in times of global uncertainty, Europe remains an anchor of stability in a changing world,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also celebrated the day, expressing her pride in the bloc.

European Parliament President Roberta Metsola shared a video message urging collaboration to build a Europe that “delivers, defends and dares to dream bigger.”

“Our Europe is an idea. It's not perfect. Today is an opportunity to reflect not just on what we're getting right, but when we may have pushed too far, too fast, where we may have left people behind, and where we can do better,” Metsola said.

On May 9, 1950, then-French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman proposed establishing a European Coal and Steel Community.

The goal was to promote cooperation and prevent future conflicts in postwar Europe. It is widely regarded as the first formal step in the formation of the European Union.