Background
The European Union has its roots in the European Economic Community (EEC), established by the Treaty of Rome nearly fifty years ago.
On 25 March 1957, the leaders of France, West Germany, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg met in Rome to set in motion the idea of an "ever closer union".
The European Union represents a quantum leap in European integration, with a common currency, 21 more members, a single market, new policies – which go well beyond the original idea of a simple customs union.
Is it a mechanism for its members to boost economic growth and living standards for its citizens? Is it a tool to spread freedom and improve political, legal and economic structures among the newer members? Is it a global force, enabling its member states to compete more effectively with the US and dynamic new economies, such as India and China? Or is it just a source of unnecessary regulation and bureaucracy, hampering entreprise and business? How can the EU more effectively meet the aspirations and serve the interests of its citizens?
How can some sense of momentum be restored to the European "project"whatever form that takes?
What is EU50
To address these questions as we pass this historic milestone, Financial Times Business with Agora Projects, in association with the European Institute of the London School of Economics, have assembled a distinguished cast list of 50 decisionmakers, leading thinkers and opinion formers to share their ideas and proposals for Europe’s next halfcentury.
These writers drawn from the worlds of politics, academia, business and the arts offer their personal assessment of the state of the Union and their ideas and proposals for the Union’s next halfcentury.
The publication will also offer a range of views and suggestions about Europe from young people right across the European Union.
The proposals in the publication will be fed into the process of reflection on the future of the EU which has begun under the German EU Presidency and which is set to continue into the medium term.
The publication will include a useful calendar of EU-related events until 2009, and is set to be an invaluable source of ideas for anyone interested in the European Union.
Who are the contributors and the topics?
The editorial contributors – with nationals of each of the EU27 include:
Angela Merkel, German Chancellor Jose Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission Sir Howard Davies, Director of the London School of Economics Javier Solana, EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy Olli Rehn, EU Commissioner for enlargement Danuta Hubner, EU Commissioner for Regional Policy Tommaso Padoa-Schioppa, Finance Minister of Italy Carl Bildt, Foreign Minister of Sweden Peter Sutherland, Chairman BP, former Director-General of the WTO Richard Descoings, Director of Sciences Po, Paris Vaira Vike-Freiberga, President of Latvia Theodora Bakoyannis, Foreign Minister of Greece Bernard-Henri Levy, philosopher and writer Nicolas Sarkozy, Leader of UMP Party, France Robert Cooper, Director-General Politico-Military Affairs, Council of the European Union and writer on international affairs Gérard Mortier, Director of the Opera de Paris Ernest-Antoine Seillière, President of UNICE
A taster
Excerpts from the book –
“The title of this book, European Union: The Next 50 Years, dares us to look ahead to the future. What will people be saying about the European Union on 25 March 2057, the 100th anniversary of the Treaties of Rome?”
Angela Merkel – Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany and the then President of the European Council – writing exclusively in the EU50 book.
“Hans van den Broek bites the bullet with his proposal for a core group of Britain, France and Germany which would construct common foreign policy positions for the rest to lump or leave.”
Sir Howard Davies – Director of the London School of Economics – writing exclusively in the EU50 book.
“Environmental pressures, demographic trends, movements of peoples and the continuing drift of power away from governments demands a pro-active Europe – with a rules-based international system as a key objective.”
Javier Solana – EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy – writing exclusively in the EU50 book.
“In 2057, distinguished historians concluded that the EU owed its longevity to its continued relevance to its citizens. It had also brought the Balkans and Turkey fully into Europe, and proved that ‘widening versus deepening’ was a false dichotomy”
Olli Rehn – EU Commissioner for enlargement – writing exclusively in the EU50 book.
Download the contents page for a complete list of contributors and the topics (pdf)How do I get a copy?
The publication is available free-of-charge to individuals, subject to our independently audited terms of control.
Apply for a free copy(Complimentary copies are offered subject to approval by the publisher. Please allow two weeks for a reply)
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If you have any queries, please e-mail eu50@ft.com or call + 44 207 775 6340
European Information Association 2007 Award for Excellence
EU50 wins European Information Association 2007 Award for Excellence in European information provision (printed sources category)