Europe Day

In a message marking Europe Day and the 70th anniversary since the Schuman Declaration, which ultimately led to the founding of the European Union, Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou on Saturday emphasized the need for "real and not just rhetorical" solidarity among EU member-states, in the face of the pandemic and the economic crisis that it brings.

The European Union will no longer be the same after the novel coronavirus pandemic, and a rethinking process of the manner of action and role worldwide is important and necessary, political analyst Radu Magdin told AGERPRES on Friday, in the context of Europe Day being celebrated on Saturday.

Romania's former Foreign Minister Titus Corlatean says the Schuman Declaration of May 9, 1950, because of its symbolism, is more valid than ever, because, given that during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic period the EU has shown that "it does not fully operate" as a united, solidary body.

It wasn't that long ago that May 9 was an uncomplicated date in the political calendar in Eastern Europe and the Balkans. State leaders processed to the main World War II memorial, made speeches about the heroic struggle against Nazism and Fascism and laid wreaths.

Euronews - Europe Day, observed on May 9 each year, marks the presentation of the Schuman Declaration in 1950, which proposed the creation of a European Coal and Steel Community, the forerunner to the European Union.

The European Union is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year. It declared May 9 as "Europe Day" in a summit held in Milan in 1985, celebrated in member countries and member candidate countries. The day has also been celebrated in EU member candidate country Turkey since 2000 with concerts and activities, though this year it will be a "quiet" day closed to the public.

BELGRADE - May 9, marked as the day of victory over fascism and Nazism in World War II, is also celebrated as Europe Day to commemorate the day when the then French foreign minister Robert Schuman laid the foundations of a united Europe in 1950.

Sofia Philharmonic Orchestra will perform for the first time in the public area of Terminal 2 of Sofia Airport on the occasion of Europe Day on 9 May.

Victory Day, Europe Day marked

BELGRADE -- The marking of Day of Victory over Nazism in World War II started late on Thursday with a ceremonial artillery salute fired from the Belgrade Fortress.

Bulgaria will mark on Friday the Day of Europe, also known as Schuman Day, after the historic Schuman Declaration of May 9, 1950.

On this day, the French Foreign Minister at the time, Robert Schuman, signed a declaration to create a European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC), the predecessor of the European Union (EU).