The member states of the EU celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome with the signing of the Declaration of Berlin on Sunday. The Declaration was one of many events to celebrate 50 years of European unity. Capital cities across the EU have seen ceremonies and street parties and in the UK football fans were given a special treat as some of Europe’s greatest footballers took part in a Manchester United vs Europe XI charity match.

The adoption of the Declaration of Berlin by the EU member states is part celebration of what has been achieved in Europe in the last 50 years, part acknowledgment of the challenges still faced by European countries and part commitment to overcoming those challenges by continuing the close cooperation between the EU states that has brought Europe so much success in the past. The Declaration celebrates the peace and prosperity that Europe has experienced due to the Union, the freedoms and rights enjoyed by EU citizens and the cultural diversity of the nations. The member states agreed that the EU should remain committed to protecting its citizens from organised crime and terrorism, and should continue its good work tackling environmental challenges. To read the full text of the Berlin Declaration click here.

The declaration was somewhat vague on EU enlargement to admit Turkey and the Balkan states, referring only to its 'openness'. The Pope and Poland had raised concerns over the declaration on the grounds that it made no reference to the Christian values they believe the EU was founded on (although Poland has given its support for the Berlin Declaration). Fortunately, other countries faced down this attempt to make Europe seem linked to religion.