Meeting of the Parliament 15 May 2025
This year, we mark 75 years since the signing of the Schuman declaration on 9 May 1950. Last Friday, I and others in the chamber celebrated Europe day and the shared values that underpin the European project. Poignantly, last week, we also marked 80 years since victory in Europe day on 8 May 1945 and the liberation of Europe by the allied forces that ended the second world war in Europe. I had the privilege to mark the day, on behalf of the Scottish Government, at a memorial service at Westminster Abbey in London.
Out of the ashes of the second world war grew renewed ideas about international unity and co-operation between nations, about building trust and about basing the world order on the rule of law. One of those ideas was the European Coal and Steel Community, which paved the way for the European Union. The six original signatories of the Schuman declaration agreed to put the production of key defence materials under common control, thereby building trust through transparency and, ultimately, through economic interdependence. Erstwhile bitter rivals became partners and lasting peace and prosperity became a shared reality for members of the EU.