Brussels, 26/03/2007 (Agence Europe) - The complete text of the “Berlin Declaration” is as follows. It was adopted on 25 March by the presidents of the three institutions of the EU: Angela Merkel (Council), José Manuel Barroso (European Commission) and Hans-Gert Pöttering (European Parliament) on the 50th anniversary of the Treaties of Rome:
“For centuries Europe has been an idea, holding out hope of peace and understanding. That hope
has been fulfilled. European unification has made peace and prosperity possible. It has brought
about a sense of community and overcome differences. Each Member State has helped to unite
Europe and to strengthen democracy and the rule of law.
Thanks to the yearning for freedom of the peoples of Central and Eastern Europe the unnatural division of Europe is now consigned to the past. European integration shows that we have learnt the painful lessons of a history marked by bloody conflict.
Today we live together as was never possible before. We, the citizens of the European Union, have united for the better.
In the European Union, we are turning our common ideals into reality: for us, the individual is
paramount. His dignity is inviolable. His rights are inalienable. Women and men enjoy equal rights.
We are striving for peace and freedom, for democracy and the rule of law, for mutual respect
and shared responsibility, for prosperity and security, for tolerance and participation, for justice and solidarity.
We have a unique way of living and working together in the European Union. This is expressed
through the democratic interaction of the Member States and the European institutions. The European Union is founded on equal rights and mutually supportive cooperation. This enables us to strike a fair balance between Member States' interests.
We preserve in the European Union the identities and diverse traditions of its Member States.
We are enriched by open borders and a lively variety of languages, cultures and regions. There are many goals which we cannot achieve on our own, but only in concert. Tasks are shared between the European Union, the Member States and their regions and local authorities.
We are facing major challenges which do not stop at national borders. The European Union is
our response to these challenges. Only together can we continue to preserve our ideal of European society in future for the good of all European Union citizens. This European model combines economic success and social responsibility. The common market and the euro make us strong. We can thus shape the increasing interdependence of the global economy and evergrowing competition on international markets according to our values. Europe's wealth lies in the knowledge and ability of its people; that is the key to growth, employment and social cohesion.
We will fight terrorism, organised crime and illegal immigration together. We stand up for liberties and civil rights also in the struggle against those who oppose them. Racism and xenophobia must never again be given any rein.
We are committed to the peaceful resolution of conflicts in the world and to ensuring that people do not become victims of war, terrorism and violence. The European Union wants to promote freedom and development in the world. We want to drive back poverty, hunger and disease. We want to continue to take a leading role in that fight.
We intend jointly to lead the way in energy policy and climate protection and make our contribution to averting the global threat of climate change.
The European Union will continue to thrive both on openness and on the will of its Member States to consolidate the Union's internal development. The European Union will continue to promote democracy, stability and prosperity beyond its borders. With European unification a dream of earlier generations has become a reality. Our history reminds us that we must protect this for the good of future generations. For that reason we must always renew the political shape of Europe in keeping with the times. That is why today, 50 years after the signing of the Treaties of Rome, we are united in our aim of placing the European Union on a renewed common basis before the European Parliament elections in 2009. For we know, Europe is our common future”.
Angela Merkel insists that Europe has not yet been acquired and must ceaselessly be defended - José Manuel Barroso underlines need to strengthen Community method and subsidiarity
During the course of the treaty signing ceremony on Sunday in Berlin, the acting president of the European Council, Angela Merkel pointed out that the united Europe of peace and democracy had not yet been acquired and had to be fought for every day. In her speech to Heads of State and governments, Ms Merkel said “let us be honest: 50 years of the Treaties of Rome - in the context of history that is hardly more than the blinking of an eye. And whether it will one day be more than that, whether on 25 March 2057 the centenary of the Treaties of Rome will be celebrated in a Europe of peace and freedom, democracy and the rule of law? We do not know.” Ms Merkel also said that what European had brought to the European people should not be taken for granted, “All of it must be repeatedly strengthened and defended anew. Stagnation means regression. Building trust takes decades. And overnight it can be undermined. Any cleavage will soon have Europe out of step - sooner than some might think. In short, European unification must be striven for and secured time and time again. That is our guiding mission for the future. That is what is at the heart of today's anniversary celebrations”. In the context of globalisation, Merkel pointed out that the, “decision in favour of Europe is also a decision in favour of a certain way of life. It was and remains a decision in favour of our European model. It combines economic success and social responsibility. Only together can we continue to preserve our ideal of European society in future”. The German presidency said that globalisation compelled Europe to deal with external influences in future, which was why, “A common Foreign and Security Policy in Europe is therefore absolutely vital. But, of course, this policy should not be isolationist but must be based on cooperation with partners outside Europe. I firmly believe that close, amicable relations with the United States of America and a strong NATO are and will remain in Europe's fundamental interest”.
Commission president, José Manuel Barroso insisted on maintaining and reinforcing the “Community method”, as well as subsidiarity in European integration, “My vision of Europe is not one where only European institutions promote unity and member states defend diversity. A real partnership is where European institutions respect diversity and national governments promote unity. That's why we need the Community method and subsidiarity”.
The president of the European Parliament, Hans-Gert Pöttering highlighted the democratic evolution experienced by the European integration project over recent years, “Whereas in 1957 the Treaties of Rome were signed at a meeting of governments and diplomats, today I am grateful to be able to represent the citizens of the EU…This is a symbol of the democratic road that the peoples of Europe have travelled since 1957”. (hb)