{"id":5932,"date":"2017-03-26T22:44:46","date_gmt":"2017-03-26T22:44:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pan.thatscommunication.de\/europe-turns-60-or-does-it\/"},"modified":"2026-10-19T22:25:17","modified_gmt":"2026-10-19T22:25:17","slug":"europe-turns-60-or-does-it","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pan.thatscommunication.de\/en\/europe-turns-60-or-does-it\/","title":{"rendered":"Europe turns 60 \u2013 or does it?"},"content":{"rendered":"

25 March 2017, somewhere in Central Europe. Anyone monitoring social media on this day witnessed two conflicting phenomena. One group celebrated a major anniversary \u2013 the others never tired of emphasising that the EU is not Europe. But is that really a contradiction? An essay by Philipp Jauernik, Federal Chairman of Paneuropa-Youth Austria. <\/em><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

A look back<\/strong><\/p>\n

1957, a memorable year. Sputnik marks the beginning of the space age. In Hungary, show trials are held against those involved in the 1956 national uprising. In Great Britain, the death penalty is restricted. The Soviet Union announces the launch of its first intercontinental ballistic missile. In Germany, the Federation of Expellees is founded. In the GDR, leaving its territory illegally is henceforth punished as ‘Republic flight’. In Austria, regular television broadcasting begins. At a church fete in Liverpool, John Lennon and Paul McCartney meet for the first time. FC Bayern Munich wins the DFB-Pokal for the first time. In Portugal, men are allowed to swim in trunks. <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Austria’s Federal Chancellor is Julius Raab, Germany’s is Konrad Adenauer. In Italy, the year begins with Antonio Segni and ends with Adone Zoli. The dictatorial head of state of Yugoslavia is Josip Broz Tito; in Moscow, Nikita Sergeyevich Khrushchev holds power. Yes, that was a long time ago. <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

And the Treaties of Rome? As a reminder: previously, the Coal and Steel Community existed. Austria was not part of it; Moscow would not have permitted it. It also had a different focus \u2013 primarily, it brought essential (European) warring parties of the Second World War to the table. A historic achievement, the dimension of which is not easily grasped, especially by later generations. <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

What role did the treaties play?<\/strong><\/p>\n

These treaties established the European Economic Community (EEC) and the European Atomic Energy Community (EURATOM) and \u2013 what may be considered decisive \u2013 established a common parliamentary assembly, a common court of justice, and a common economic and social committee, also for the ECSC. With these institutions, they moved beyond mere intergovernmentalism. For the first time in several centuries, something like a transfer of competence from centralist nation-states took place. <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

These common organs represent the beginning of the European Communities (EC). Although the respective communities operated on the basis of their own founding treaties, the designation EC, also in the singular as ‘European Community’, gradually established itself as a synonym. When the Maastricht Treaty constituted the European Union decades later, the term ‘EU’ replaced these concepts in public perception \u2013 quite as if it were also a synonym for a united Europe. The latter is precisely the point so strongly questioned on the anniversary. <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Europe \u2013 the changing bride<\/strong><\/p>\n

Let us use a comparison \u2013 imagine a married couple who have a daughter. This daughter is given a name. The parents choose the first name (let’s say ‘Laetitia’), the surname comes from the family, let’s say Smith. When the happy parents see their newborn for the first time, it is still completely unclear how she will develop, what talents she will have, what profession she will one day choose, or what her hobbies will be. <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

When this daughter marries and takes her husband’s name (perhaps the Polish ‘Jednostka’), she has come a long way. Her name is different from at birth. She looks completely different, is significantly taller, and has developed skills that were latent at birth but not foreseeable. And yet, no one would claim they are two different people. And no one would consider her a mere appendage of her parents. <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

From the origin to today<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Philipp

Philipp Jauernik is Federal Chairman of Paneuropa-Youth Austria.<\/p><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

It is much the same with Europe. Europe is only a small part of the Eurasian landmass, yet it is not considered an appendage of Asia. The Treaties of Rome created entities \u2013 a birth, so to speak \u2013 that are naturally not to be equated with today’s EU. And yet they contained elements (such as the Parliament and Commission) that have evolved into today’s EU. In an infant, these would be the ears and nose \u2013 not 1:1 in form and functionality as in an adult, but consistently developed. <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Europe is not a purely geographical term, nor a purely political one. The EU does not encompass all of Europe. Historical, cultural, political, economic, legal, ideal, and identity-related aspects must also be considered. What is clear, however, is that today’s Union is unthinkable without the Treaties of Rome \u2013 just as it is without its history, flora and fauna, its cultures, and its diversity. <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Yesterday, we witnessed the 60th anniversary of a historic event. Many of us celebrated it. Personally, I decided against insisting on the differences like some Rumpelstiltskin. Anyone who knows Europe knows how diverse it is \u2013 and how small these differences appear when viewed from China, Namibia, or Chile. <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Yesterday was a day of joy because the foundation was laid for something great, which only forms the political framework for something even greater. Europe is larger than the EU. It is home, it is a spirit, it is an idea. Today’s EU cannot fully encompass that. <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Today as the foundation for a better tomorrow<\/strong><\/p>\n

Vienna City Hall and its political system are also only limited in their ability to define my relationship with my home city. That is not the task of a political system. It only provides a framework. Within this framework, we are called upon to define things that shape our coexistence. In this regard, today’s EU has provided services that are partly good and partly deficient. <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The journey is not yet over. Much work lies ahead of us. We would do well to set to it and discuss seriously and sincerely what improvements are needed. Squabbling over nomenclature does not get us anywhere. We all know that the EU is not 1:1 Europe. We all know that Thomas Aquinas was also a European, even though he lived long before the Treaties of Rome. But he in particular is a good role model if we want to conduct a serious debate. He is not alone in this; Europe has produced an inexhaustible spiritual wealth. To utilise this is our historic duty. For us. For Europe. For our future. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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