100th Anniversary of World War I

WWI Ceremony in Ypres (Belgium). Photo credits: European Council

Today #EU leaders are gathering in #Ypres, Belgium to attend a ceremony commemorating the 100th anniversary of World War I #WWI

(Updated on 5 May 2016)

In his speech to the plenary of the European Parliament on 16 April, the former president of the Commission, José Manuel Durão Barroso, expressed very clearly the transcendence of this commemoration for the European Union. His words can help you understand why Member States participating in the World War I, especially the smallest ones in geographic and economic terms, celebrated it with great intensity.
 

"Honourable members,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

One hundred years ago, the German Empire, Austria-Hungary, Belgium, France, Luxembourg, Portugal, the United Kingdom, the Kingdoms of Bulgaria, Italy, Greece and Romania, the Russian and the Ottoman Empires, Serbia and Montenegro, to name but the European countries, clashed in a terrible war.

The savagery, which had started in Europe, then spread throughout the world.

One hundred years on, the European Union has proved that it is effective in organising life in such a way as to ensure that there is a much more decent world. It can and must contribute to shaping globalisation that protects and defends that which is universally human in mankind.

And yet, we see in the Eastern neighbourhood of our European Union two concepts of Europe contrasting each other: the one of a modern, open and democratic Europe in which 28 countries have voluntarily joined up in the European Union to realise the most revolutionary progress in the history of mankind in terms of relations between countries; and against this the old concept of a Europe which continues to think and to act in categories of power, spheres of influence, diktat and mistrust and in the logic of "rule and divide".

When we compare these concepts, and when we recall that the First World War was followed by a Second World War, it is fair to say that we have already drawn our lessons. The European Union is our lesson of two World Wars and must remain so in the future.

If at all, as a result from the events in Ukraine, there is a new lesson to be drawn then it is the one that we must never - I repeat: never - take peace and stability in Europe for granted. We need to defend Europe to defend peace and stability in Europe.

Now that some of our old demons are reawakening, we should not forget that those who defend ultra-nationalism and xenophobia are also attacking the European Union and the values which we hold dear. There are many shades of nationalism. Some of them are more protectionist, some of them more chauvinist, some of them focused on foreigners or migrants, some have a discours against globalisation. But there is always one thing in common among nationalists: they hate the European Union. They think the European Union is their enemy. And indeed it is. The European Union is made against the aggressive nature of ultra-nationalism.

We are all united within a Union that guarantees peace, democracy, freedom and justice for each of our countries. A precious Union, which was awarded the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize in 2012. We are bound, given our history, to preserve and defend it.

Honourable Members,

This has been our last debate in plenary before European elections next month.

I want to use this opportunity to thank this House, your two Presidents during the past mandate, President Buzek and President Schulz, and all of you for the discussion, the cooperation and the results we have achieved together.

Together we have weathered and withstood the most severe financial and economic crisis since the beginning of European integration. At times we were facing an existential threat to the Euro and even to our Union. And just yesterday, this Parliament, by a huge majority, has given its final green light to the final step in our Banking Union, one of the many achievements of these years which would be considered impossible before this crisis.

I think you can be proud of the work which under these circumstances you have done. Responsibility, solidarity and leadership were the elements which eventually made us succeed together.

The job is not done. Too many citizens still feel the painful consequences of this crisis. Our fight in particular for sustainable growth and against unemployment must and will continue.

Many of you are now going in different political parties to run for elections for the new European Parliament. I wish you all the best for your future. I hope that the next European Parliament will remain a driving force for a united, open and stronger European Union.

I thank you for your attention."