Brussels, 11/05/2006 (Agence Europe) - On 9 May, which marks the anniversary of the 1950 Schuman Declaration opening the road to a united Europe, the president of the European Movement International, Pat Cox, recalled Robert Schuman's “message of creative reconciliation” between old foes. He pointed out that “EU enlargement towards Central and Eastern Europe” is the “most dynamic contemporary expression” of this message. Given the debate opening on the borders of Europe, the former European Parliament president regretted the current “drift to neo-protectionists policy preferences” and “anti-reform conservatism”. He recalled that “this is the first time in the history of our old continent when on such a significant sub continental scale we are united around a common vision and set of values”. The Irish official therefore said this should not be abandoned because of “populist angst” but explained that fears should be met by “deliberative debate and explanation”. His view was that “Europe's mission of reconciliation is not yet complete”.