Founding of EU celebrated in Brussels as new survey gives strong backing to the Union

Thousands of people visited EU institutions on Saturday (9 May) to mark the 76th anniversary of the Schuman Declaration.

This is the historic speech by French foreign minister Robert Schuman in 1950 which paved the way for European integration.

It is the date most see as the start of what was to later become the EU.

Europe Day, says the European Economic and Social Committee, one of the oldest EU organizations, is a chance to acknowledge the achievements of the European project and to celebrate the community of values that the EU represents and that we, as Europeans, protect and nourish every day.

“Europe Day is a really important day to take stock and celebrate the achievements of the European project, including peace, democracy, and inclusion,” said Séamus Boland, the EESC President.

 “It was a genuine pleasure to host visitors to our open day today and celebrate this spirit of participation.”

“I am very happy that the EESC could host an open-door and festive celebration for Europe Day,” added Marija Hanževački, the EESC Vice-President for Communication. “Europe Day is a celebration of joy and unity for citizens of all ages to share European values and build a Europe for all. The Open Day offers a unique opportunity to experience the spirit of engagement first hand, to discover the workings of the Committee and to learn how complex debates are turned into opinions.”

The Schuman Declaration laid the foundations for the European Union as we know it today, and, says the EU, “led to an unprecedented era of peace, democracy, prosperity, integration and cooperation across the continent.”

This year, Europe Day also marked two important milestones: 40 years since Portugal and Spain joined the EU, and 40 years since the first official Europe Day celebrations.

The European Parliament also invited citizens to discover how EU legislation “shapes” everyday life and how they can influence Europe's future, under the motto ‘Come and See Democracy in Action.’ 

Separately, the European Commission will open its iconic Berlaymont building in Brussels to the public, with an address by Executive Vice-President Teresa Ribera.

Under the slogan ‘Europe's Moment’, visitors got the chance to explore interactive thematic spaces covering democracy and values, climate, prosperity, social justice, security and Europe's global role, alongside an art and architecture trail. 

Just ahead of Europe Day, a new survey showed that nearly three quarters (72%) of Europeans believe their country has benefited from being a member of the EU.

Some 75% say they feel they are citizens of the EU, matching the highest level ever recorded in spring 2025.

In what the EU calls a “challenging global context” Europeans said they strongly view the EU as a stabilising force (73%, +6 percentage points). With 81% (+2 pp), they expressed substantial support for common defence and security policy among Member States.

A majority of Europeans, according to the survey, trust the EU (51%), three percentage points higher than in the Autumn 2025 survey. Support for the EU’s response to Russia’s invasion to Ukraine remains stable.

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