EU launches 50th birthday logo

A multi-coloured logo with the words Together Since 1957 was yesterday picked from more than 1,700 submissions received by the European Commission in response to a competition launched last July to design a logo for the 50th anniversary of the EU next year.

The winning logo, designed by Szymon Skrypczak, a Polish art student, was announced during a ceremony held at the Commission's headquarters in Brussels.

The logo will be used during all the events to be held next year across all the EU member states to mark the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Rome.

Commission Vice President Margot Wallstrom said the winning logo represents the diversity and vigour of Europe and at the same time underlines the desired unity and solidarity of the continent. The competition was open to participants from all EU member states together with accession countries Bulgaria and Romania and attracted an unexpectedly high number of entries.

The Commission said that member states, national, regional and local authorities are also invited to use the logo for their events.

The European Parliament was also involved in the selection process.

Alvaro Vidal-Quadras, first vice president of the European Parliament, said the success of the logo competition demonstrates the confidence young people have in the future of Europe.

The EU is preparing a number of activities to celebrate its 50th birthday. A declaration will be signed by EU leaders during a special summit to be held in Berlin on March 25, the day the original Treaty of Rome was signed.

The Italian capital will also be the focus of the EU's celebration activities.