On May 9 every year, Europe commemorates the Europe Day, a celebration that is deeply rooted in historic Schuman Declaration. The proposal that became the foundation for the European Union as we know it today.
What was the Schuman Declaration of 1950 and can the model of European integration be replicated elsewhere in the world? Let’s find out.
The Schuman Declaration
On May 9, 1950, Robert Schuman, the French Foreign Minister, presented a comprehensive and visionary plan to place the German and French coal and steel productions under a joint authority.
It was an idea that looked simple yet revolutionary, as by uniting the economies of rival powers, the chances of another major conflict would be close to impossible.
In 1951, the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) was established, which included the countries of France, Italy, Belgium, West Germany, The Netherlands, and Luxembourg, marking the first practical step towards the European Union.
Why Is Europe Day So Significant?
May 9 not only serves as an aide-mémoire of Schuman Declaration, but it serves as a celebration of democracy, unity, peace, and solidarity among the European states. it also encourages the European powers to ponder upon and reflect on the values of rule of law, human rights, economic collaboration, cultural diversity, and freedom of movement.
Today, Europe Day is celebrated in all major European institutions with open house debates, and educational programs aimed at promoting the sense of harmony and reflect on how far Europe has come in terms of peace and unity.
How Effective Is Europe’s Model of Integration?
European integration has proven to be a significant achievement in uniting the continent. However, the effectiveness of the European Union was tested more than ever during times of war and rising security challenges, especially the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Originally, the European Union was designed to unite the European countries and prevent war altogether, in which, it has succeeded. For over the last 70 years, it has maintained internal peace, promoting a deep sense of economic unity and political cooperation between the member states.
However, external threats posed to EU member states do not shield Europe from geopolitical realities, some of which are due to the lack of the EU’s standing army and its heavy reliance on NATO for collective defense.
The Russian invasion of Ukraine also brought forward the weaknesses in the energy security. It highlighted the over-reliance of the European Union member states on Russia’s energy resources, and also encourage the countries to cooperate with one another in the energy sector as well as finding other alternative energy sources to replace Russia.
Can Europe’s Model of Integration Be Replicated Elsewhere?
This is a question that has been asked by policy experts time and time again. Several efforts have been made to replicate the European Union’s model of unity and integration.
Some of them include: the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), African Union (AU), MERCOSUR and UNASUR in South America, and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).
Whether it is economic integration or the political one, these organizations have replicated the European Union’s model.
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However, either due to the political rivalry between two or more powers with in the organizations, or due to the external influence of major powers, they were unable to achieve full integration.
The European model of integration can be applied, but for that, there needs to be a few common elements, such as shared history, political will of the states, shared economic interests, and institutional strength.
Along with those, the countries must remember to change changes gradually rather than instantly. Taking baby steps by first introducing developmental cooperation and trade enhancement before pursuing full political integration.
Javaria Khalid is a writer and researcher, who specializes in Pakistan's Foreign Policy Analysis, Europe's Security, and Pakistan’s relations with the European countries and the EU. She can be reached at javariakhalid011@outlook.com
