50 years of European Union

Fifty years ago six European countries came together to create a unique form of regional organization. The objective was to ensure war would never again ravage the European continent, and to bring lasting security to its peoples.

It has undoubtedly been a tremendous success. For fifty years its members have enjoyed unprecedented levels of peace, prosperity and stability. Over the years it has become much more than a simple trading bloc. Now numbering 27 members, the European Union is today active in all the areas that pose the greatest challenges to society in the 21st century.

For our partners that means we are now a strategic partner for issues as varied as international terrorism, climate change and HIV/AIDS.

We have developed a particular form of regional cooperation which has evolved alongside a commitment to democracy, human rights and the rule of law. It is this experience, the secret of our own success, which we seek to offer to others.

A common EU foreign policy is a relatively new addition to our activities. Nevertheless we are already influential world wide and our ambition is to contribute even more to the international community and to our partners around the world.

The European Union already provides around 60 percent of the world’s official development assistance. We also have a network of formal agreements and over 130 delegations around the world, including one in Israel, to cooperate on issues like trade, energy, the environment, human rights and international organized crime.

Already making a difference

Our toolbox includes rapid response to humanitarian emergencies, and police and military missions. Our task is to deploy these instruments as coherently and effectively as possible, as was the case with the EU’s presence in Lebanon.

We are already making a difference – by playing a constructive role in the Middle East and trying to resolve the international stand-off over Iran’s nuclear intentions. We are leading by example on questions like climate change and energy security, questions that will be at the heart of the international agenda in the years to come.

We believe that it’s only through partnership that solutions to these questions can be found. That is why we fully support the institutions of global governance such as the United Nations and the World Trade Organization. We want to work with our partners to strengthen those organizations and the multilateral order they uphold.

The EU's institutions and powers are still evolving, particularly in the area of foreign policy. But it is already clear that our partners see the strategic value of greater cooperation with us, and vice versa.

So this is our objective for the next 50 years: Using the achievements of the last 50 years - our wealth, peace and experience – not only to maintain our own standard of living, but also to benefit others.

Benita Ferrero-Waldner is the European Commissioner for External Relations and Neighbourhood Policy