Unity and peace

After last weekend's Easter festivities, now it's time to return to work on our commitment to improve our Europe. With the German Presidency term half way through, they are committed to their ambitious aim to secure approval of the European Constitution, a Constitution that would further unite the people of Europe while guaranteeing another 50 years of European prosperity.

With the declaration of Berlin, leaders from member states committed themselves to continue working to promote gender equality, human dignity and respect of human rights within the European Union and on a global level. At the same time, the EU is committed to protect its citizens' interests both within its borders and on the international sphere. Finally, yet so importantly, the head of states and of government committed themselves to keep the EU young and alive.

Quoting from the declaration: "With European unification, a dream of earlier generations has become a reality. Our history reminds us that we must protect this for the good of future generations. For that reason we must always renew the political shape of Europe in keeping with the times".

This brings back to mind the long way the EU came since its birth. From dealing with the reunification of Europe to becoming a global influence in today's world.

The EU was born from the devastation left by World War II. In an attempt to prevent further wars and boost cooperation, six European states agreed to work together on the creation of an organised Europe, indispensable to the maintenance of peaceful relations.

The success achieved following the Treaty of Paris by the six founding members (Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg and the Netherlands) led to the widening of this unity.

The EU witnessed its first enlargement on January 1, 1973, growing from six states to nine. The path of growth continued throughout the decades and now the EU is made up of 27 member states with a population of over 459 million inhabitants. The largest enlargement came in 2004 with 10 new members joining in, among them Malta.

This growth is important because newly-formed states from the former Soviet bloc joined the Union on the basis of the pursuit of peace and solidarity. This is a proof that dictatorships succumb to the people's will to unity, the same unity that led to the EU's influence in world politics and making it one of the key players.

Becoming a key player in world politics is no mean feat because achieving such a goal carries with it responsibilities. Keeping in mind the prosperity of its citizens in a globalised world, the EU is working on the generation of jobs, growth and improving social welfare. In an ever-changing, complex and unstable world, the EU is also committed to spreading peace and stability beyond its borders.

As the political party with roots going back to the tradition established by Robert Schuman, Konrad Adenauer and Alcide de Gasperi back in the 1950s, the Group of the European People's Party (the Christian Democrats) and the European Democrats in the European Parliament (EPP-ED Group) is a major political force in the EU. Since its formation as the "Christian Democrat Group" on June 23, 1953, it has always played a leading role in the construction of Europe.

In Hans-Gert Poeterring own words: "Essentially shaped, as it has been, by the Christian image of mankind, the European Union of the 21st century sees itself as a community of values whose central concerns are respect for human rights, tolerance, individual responsibility, subsidiarity and solidarity".

The EPP-ED Group is the only one of the seven political groups in Parliament to contain MEPs from all 27 member states.

The influence of Christianity within the EU and its citizens is a reality. With 277 MEPs sitting in the EPP-ED Group, representing some 37 per cent of the total, the strong influence of values in our society are evident.

This is falls in line with the aims of the Nationalist Party. Founded on the principles of freedom and social justice according to Maltese, Christian and European tradition, it works in order to bring about a society with equal opportunities for everyone, does its utmost for peace and justice to prevail in the world and at the same time assures prosperity for Maltese society.

These common values have proved essential to the common growth of the modern world. It is our duty to continue promoting these pillars of society so that our children may find a better place to live in.

Mr Casa is a Nationalist member of the European Parliament.

david.casa@europarl.europa.eu

www.davidcasa.eu