50 YEARS OF EUROPEAN UNION DEVELOPMENT: QUANTUM LEAPS AND SMALL STEPS?

Abstract

This article is based on the presentation made at the invitation of the Lithuanian Authorities and the European Commission Representation in Lithuania to speak in Vilnius at a Symposium of the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome in March 2007.
The article reviews the foundations of the European Union only fi ve years after the end of World War II and the strong yearning for peace of the founding fathers and nations. 5o years later with the major eastward expansion of the EU the new Member States while still concerned with peace and additional priorities related to ascertaining their sovereignty and developing their prosperity. There is a need to bridge the original aim of sharing sovereignty of the original 6 Member States with the legitimate objectives of the new Member States, though understanding and dialogue.