We have listened to the last movement of Beethoven’s 9^th Symphony – the official anthem of the European Union – Ode to Joy. Today is the 200^th anniversary its premier performance in Vienna, Teater am Kartnertor, on 7 May 1824.

The EU institutions and EU member states celebrate Europe Day every year on 9 May. This is to mark the anniversary of birth certificate of the EU, the Schuman Declaration of 9 May 1950. In it, the French Foreign minister Schumann put forward the vision: “Europe will not be made at once or according to a single plan. It will be built through concrete achievements, which creates a de facto solidarity”.

The EU gave 450 million people the freedom to live, study and work anywhere in the EU. The EU created the world’s biggest single market. The market allows the free movement of goods, services and capital. In 2023 the GDP of EU was just approximately 18 trillion USD (15.8 in euro) and the GDP per capita 56.970 USD. This for the 27 member states. In terms of welfare increase, the EU has undoubtedly been a success.

EU also has been a peace project. Rhe EU area has been a stable and peaceful space, contributing security world-wide. In addition, the EU and its member states are beside its trade agreements the single largest international development donor.

The wisdom of Schuman’s approach has been validated in practice through achievements and through attraction to the project. The original six states have been joined by 21 more through 7 enlargements – the largest is celebrating its 20 years anniversary this year, and includes the EU member states neighbouring Belarus. In November last year, a historic decision was taken on further enlargement. There are currently 9 candidate countries for the EU encompassing the Balkans, Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia and Turkiye. The EU also acknowledges that a future democratic Belarus has a place in the European family.

What we celebrate today: the citizens of EU and all its friends is as therefore what the ‘Ode to joy’ states:

Thy magic binds again

What custom strictly divided

All people become brothers

Where thy gentle wings abides.

Thank you!