UĦM Voice of the Workers eMagazine issue 18

VOICE OF THE

WORKERS ISSUE 18 MAY 2014

Contents EUROPE DAY

A People’s Europe Europe has always been a hotbed of conflict, culminating in the atrocities of the last two World Wars. Europe’s founding fathers had the right, long-term vision.

Peace and stability in Europe only work within the framework of a united Europe. The European project took off, and most people will agree that coming together has resulted in a multitude of advantages socially, culturally, and even economically. Many people were lauding European monetary integration, skills transfer due to free movement of workers and people, as well as a more robust European identity. Europe was fast becoming a major player on the international stage.

However, events happening over time have produced challenges and alarm bells. A stark reminder of the fragility of peace in Europe was the Balkan conflict in the 90’s, described as the deadliest conflict since World War II, resulting in VOICE OF THE

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The Road to Opportunity

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Europe Day

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Celebrating Europe Day

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An Inclusive Europe

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The European Reality

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the deaths of 140,000 people.

From 2008, the world, Europe included, witnessed the largest economic and financial meltdown since the Great Depression of the 30’s. Financial institutions were going belly-up, and with them businesses, and whole states.

Europe, and the world, seemed helpless to do something about it. Member states started asking for bail-outs. Greece was the most serious, followed by Portugal, Italy, Spain and Cyprus.

that far-right, eurosceptic parties will significantly increase their share of popularity. The European Union risks facing its biggest threat to its integration and development.

The economic and financial crisis had a profound effect on the social fabric of most of Europe.

Unemployment, especially youth unemployment, soared.

Poverty has become a much bigger issue, and the future is far from certain. All this, and other issues are bringing about a fresh wave of Euro-scepticism. Britain wants a fresh referendum on whether it wants to opt out of EU membership, and polls suggest

Success can only be achieved through mature, constructive dialogue between the social partners. All social partners are in the same boat, and their fates depend on each other’s success.

Europe cannot be the exclusive realm of the bureaucrats and the politicians. Europe needs to be more of a people’s Europe, where citizens are not just legally integrated, but also feel that way too.

EDITOR’S NOTE JOSEF VELLA

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EDITORIAL

After ten years of membership, Malta can still look back and be satisfied by its choice to join the European Union. The country has developed, and EU funding has helped immensely in projects that are of long-term benefit.

Maltese people enjoy more rights and opportunities not only within their country but in the whole of the EU. Another essential aspect of benefit to Malta was cultural.

Membership helped us develop a better sense of discipline, and achieve more social rights in a relatively short period of time.

We are weathering the economic

crisis quite well, and our people remain our biggest asset.

However, we need to look ahead and see the writing on the wall.

Economies that today are in trouble, will one day emerge leaner and more efficient. The danger for us is that we become complacent. We need to cut away the fat, put our money where our mouth is, and tackle our issues head on. This is the best way possible to make European membership a better experience for us all, and help us be in a better position to contribute to a better Europe.

The gap between a bitter Europe and a better Europe is an issue we all need to address. Information, proactivity, and concrete action are essential. Europe Day celebrates peace and unity. We all need to make these concepts much more tangible than they are now. German Chancellor Angela Merkel might not be on everyone’s good books at the moment. But what she once said hit the nail on the head: “Nobody in Europe will be abandoned.

Nobody in Europe will be excluded. Europe only succeeds if we work together”. It takes all of us to make it happen.

The Road to Opportunity Europe Day reminds us of a shared destiny; all of us riding on an incessantly travelling train, stopping only at stations, and continuing travel in earnest. We would all like to travel to better places, prosperity and happiness. We all need to make decisions on which track we need to take. We can only do this together, however; all carriages travelling towards the same destination. Europe’s train is moving fast. We all need to decide which direction we need to take.

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FEATURE STORY

EUROPE DAY Europe Day includes two designations; one falls on the 5th May, and celebrates the Council of Europe, and the other is the 9th May, celebrating the European Union. Europe Day really celebrates peace and unity in Europe. The most popular is the 9th of May, also called Schumann Day, in honour of French Foreign Minister and Prime Minister Robert Schumann, one of the visionaries and pioneers of a united Europe. In fact, he was the first President of the European Parliamentary Assembly which bestowed and is considered one of the founding fathers of the European Union.

Europe Day is celebrated throughout member and candidate states of the European Union, and aims to propagate information and inspire people as to the importance and advantages of the European Union.

The European Flag and National Anthem The Flag of Europe consisting of 12 golden (yellow) stars in a circle on an azure background, is the flag and emblem of the Council of Europe as well as the European Union. The number of stars does not vary according to the members of either organisation as they are intended to represent all the peoples of Europe, even those outside the EU, but inside the Council of Europe.

Initially, the flag was designed by Arsène Heitz and Paul M. G. Lévy in 1955 for Council of Europe. It was also adopted as the official flag of the European Union.

Listen to the Official European National Anthem with translated lyrics

The European Union’s National Anthem is the Ode to Joy, originally a German poem by Fredriech Schiller in 1785, intended to be a celebration of the brotherhood of man. The poem provided the words for the famous choral movement of Ludwig van Beethoven’s 9th Symphony. It was adopted by the Council of Europe in 1971.

THE FOUNDING FATHERS OF THE EUROPEAN UNION

KONRAD ADENAUER First Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, who stood at the head of the newly-formed state from 1949-63, changed the face of post-war German and European history more than any other individual.

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JOSEPH BECH The Luxembourgish politician that helped set up the European Coal and Steel Community in the early 1950s and a leading architect behind European integration in the later 1950s.

JOHAN WILLEM BEYEN The international banker, businessman and politician Johan Willem Beyen was a Dutch politician who, with his ‘Beyen Plan’, breathed new life into the process of European integration in the mid-1950s.

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FEATURE STORY

ALCIDE DE GASPERI From 1945 to 1953, in his roles as Italian Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister, Alcide De Gasperi forged the path of the country’s destiny in the post-war years.

Time and time again he promoted initiatives aimed at the fusion of Western Europe.

WALTER HALLSTEIN The first President of the European Commission from 1958 to 1967, a committed European and a decisive proponent of European integration.

SICCO MANSHOLT A farmer, a member of the Dutch resistance during the Second World War, a national politician and the first European Commissioner responsible for Agriculture. Mansholt’s ideas laid the basis for the Common Agricultural Policy of the European Union.

JEAN MONNET The French political and economic adviser Jean Monnet dedicated himself to the cause of European integration. He was the inspiration behind the ‘Schuman Plan’, which foresaw the merger of west European heavy industry.

ROBERT SCHUMANN The statesman Robert Schuman, a qualified lawyer and French foreign minister between 1948 and 1952, is regarded as one of the founding fathers of European unity. In cooperation with Jean Monnet he drew up the internationally renowned Schuman Plan, which he published on 9 May 1950, the date now regarded as the birth of the European Union. He proposed joint control of coal and steel production, the most important materials for the armaments industry.

PAUL-HENRI SPAAK Spaak was a leading figure in formulating the content of the Treaty of Rome.

ALTIERO SPINELLI The Italian politician Altiero Spinelli was one of the fathers of the European Union. He was the leading figure behind the European Parliament’s proposal for a Treaty on a federal European Union.

FAMOUS WORDS “We are carrying out a great experiment, the fulfilment of the same recurrent dream that for ten centuries has revisited the peoples of Europe: creating between them an organization putting an end to war and guaranteeing an eternal peace.

The European spirit signifies being conscious of belonging to a cultural family and to have a willingness to serve that community in the spirit of total mutuality, without any hidden motives of hegemony or the selfish exploitation of others.

The 19th century saw feudal ideas being opposed and, with the rise of a national spirit, nationalities asserting themselves. Our century, that has witnessed the catastrophes resulting in the unending clash of nationalities and nationalisms, must attempt and succeed in reconciling nations in a supranational association. This would safeguard the diversities and aspirations of each nation while coordinating them in the same manner as the regions are coordinated within the unity of the nation.”

Robert Schuman, speaking in Strasbourg, 16 May 1949[3]

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FEATURE STORY

TIMELINE OF THE HISTORY OF THE EUROPEAN UNION 1949

Council of Europe was set up

by France, Great Britain and the Benelux Countries. The statute of the Council of Europe came into force.

1950

Signature of the Human Rights and Fundamental Rights Conventions in Rome.

1951

Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg and the Betherlands sign the Treaty of Paris establishing the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC)

1979

First direct Elections to the European Parliament

1981

Accession of Greece

1986

EU Flag Adopted

1992

Maastricht Treaty – The European Union was born

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2005

2007

2002

Accession of Denmark, Ireland and the UK

The Treaty establishing a Constitution of Europe was signed

1999

1963 1973

2004

Accession of Austria, Finland and Sweden

Treaty of Rome: Establishing the European Economic Community (EEC) and the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom)

The process toward creating a Customs Union started

Malta, together with another 9 countries joined the EU in the biggest enlargement ever: Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, the Slovak Republic and Slovenia.

The people of France and Netherlands chose to say no to the Ratification of the Constitutional Treaty.

1995

A report by the Committee of Independent Experts with allegations of fraud, mismanagement and nepotism leads to a collective resignation of the Commission

1957

2004

The EURO replaces twelve National Currencies in Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal and Spain.

Accession of Bulgaria and Romania

2008

Malta adopted the Euro as its official currency.

2009

The Lisbon Treaty enters into force, making amendments in the Maastricht Treaty and the Treaty of Rome.

2013

Croatia becomes a member of the EU.

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MEUSAC

Celebrating Europe Day Europe Day is celebrated on May 9. This is the date when French foreign minister Robert Schuman presented his Schuman Declaration on May 9, 1950.

This declaration proposed the creation of a European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC), whose members would pool coal and steel production. The Treaty of Paris establishing the ECSC was signed on April 18, 1951 between France, West Germany, Italy, Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. The ultimate aim was to move away from a warring European continent and turn it into a peaceful one where economic sense would prevail for the benefit of all.

Political cooperation would also make war between European nations impossible. The Schuman Declaration would ultimately lead the way to the founding of the European Union (EU).

The EU has come far since its inception in 1950, however, one thing has remained constant throughout these years - a European cultural, religious and humanist legacy that asks its peoples’ to move away from past divisions and work towards a common destiny – “united in diversity”. The Treaty of Lisbon, the latest EU Treaty, also sets out core values of the EU which are human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and the respect for human rights. These are common European values which all Member states and those aspiring to join the EU must respect.

Promoting these values, as well as peace and the well-being of the Union’s peoples are now the main objectives of the European Union.

These general objectives are complemented by the promotion

of social justice and protection, and the fight against social exclusion and discrimination.

For the 64th anniversary of Europe Day, the EU institutions and Member States will be marking a series of events to celebrate the occasion. The institutions will open their doors to European citizens in Brussels, Luxembourg and Strasbourg in the weeks leading to the European elections.

Malta will also be celebrating Europe Day by hosting several events which will mark the day and raise further awareness about the EU. Europe Day 2014 will have a stronger significance in Malta as the island also celebrates its 10th anniversary of EU membership.

In the coming weeks, MEUSAC will organise a series of public dialogues which will serve as a stocktaking exercise, as well as a mid-term review of the Europe 2020 Strategy within the context of the 10th anniversary of Malta’s accession to the EU.

MEUSAC 280 Republic Street, Valletta VLT 1112 Tel: +356 2200 3315 • Fax: +356 2200 3329 • Email: info.meusac@gov.mt www.meusac.gov.mt VOICE OF THE

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MCESD

AN INCLUSIVE

Europe The 9th of May commemorates peace and stability in the continent of Europe. Europe had a history of wars up to the Second World War. Europe was devastated physically, economically and morally and European countries involved in the wars decided that peace and stability are a better option and in fact they worked hard to bring about cooperation and stability to the continent.

With the Council of Europe championing European rights and with the European Union becoming a more inclusive union with cooperation between states at all levels, Europe has moved forward since the World Wars and has encouraged the notion of unity in diversity.

The EU today is a major world trading power. The most visible and tangible evidence of European cooperation and unity is undoubtedly the common Currency notwithstanding the difficulties that this might have brought it still has proven to have had a very positive contribution to the notion of a united Europe. The economic crises Europe has experienced in recent years have demonstrated and reconfirmed the concept of cooperation among member states. The free movement of goods, people capital and services has also proven to be a milestone for the people of Europe, opening up doors for investment and labour mobility.

Today, the EU has the world’s third largest population and hence it has a great influence on the international arena. It encourages movement of works and the protection of the environment and Europe not only manages to put a stamp on the international economic scenario but also on international relations, environmental issues and peace talks.

Malta became part of the European Union in 2004. Ten years on it has made vast improvement and has been a valid contributor to the European cause.

MCESD 280/3, Republic Street, Valletta, VLT1112 Tel: (+356) 2200 3300 www.mcesd.org.mt VOICE OF THE

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The European Reality EUROPE DAY On 9 May 1950 the first steps were taken towards the creation of what is now the European Union.

Europe Day (9 May) celebrates peace and unity in Europe. The date marks the anniversary of the historical ‘Schuman declaration’ (http://tinyurl.com/d6b4s3u). At a speech in Paris in 1950, the French foreign minister, Robert Schuman, set out his idea for a new form of political cooperation in Europe, which would make war between Europe’s nations unthinkable.

His vision was to create a European institution that would pool and manage coal and steel production.

A treaty creating such a body was signed just under a year later. Schuman’s proposal is considered to be the beginning of what is now the European Union.

The description and the link to access to the declaration is available here: http://tinyurl.com/d46yul4 To mark this event, people all over Europe celebrate the fundamental values of peace and solidarity that constitutes the EU, on 9 May each year.

ETYMOLOGY OF EUROPE In Greek mythology, Europa was a Phoenician princess who was abducted by Zeus in bull form and taken to the island of Crete, where she gave birth to Minos. For Homer, Europé (Greek: Ευρωπη; see also List of traditional Greek place names) was a mythological queen of Crete, not a geographical designation. Later Europa stood for mainland Greece, and by 500 BC its meaning had been extended to lands to the north.

The Greek term Europe has been derived from Greek words meaning broad (eurys) and face (ops) - broad having been an epitheton of Earth herself in the reconstructed Proto-Indo-European religion; see Prithvi (Plataia). A minority, however, suggest this Greek popular etymology is really based on a Semitic word such as the Akkadian erebu meaning “sunset” (see also Erebus). From the Middle Eastern vantagepoint, the sun does set over Europe, the lands to the west. Likewise, Asia is sometimes thought to have derived from a Semitic word such as the Akkadian asu, meaning “sunrise”, and is the land to the east from a Middle Eastern perspective.

Here you can select a country and check activities which will be implemented around Europe to celebrate the 9th of May: http://tinyurl.com/k3lq2yp

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CURIOSITY

NEWS

What does Europe stand for? From where did the European dream develop? The Brussels Office of the Confederazione Italiana Agricoltori has prepared a number of useful links as well as some information on Europe and the European Union.

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