On the eve of the elections for national representatives in the European Parliament 21 Heads of State of EU member states called on the European citizens for casting their vote to decide which path united Europe should follow.

The declaration signed by the Heads of State of Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Germany, Estonia, Ireland, Greece, France, Croatia, Italy, the Republic of Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Malta, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, Finland stresses the importance of preserving the European Union, its strength and integration.

European integration and unity are considerably important and only a strong community will be able to face the contemporary challenges, which go beyond national borders. The stance shared by the Presidents is that Europe will successfully cope with global risks and will continue on the path of economic and social cohesion and development only if there is equality in partnership and joint actions. “We cannot and should not take peace and freedom, prosperity and well-being for granted. It is necessary that we all engage actively for the great idea of a peaceful and integrated Europe,” the document further says.  

The Heads of State note that in these months, more than ever before, the European Union is facing unprecedented risks and retreat from the integration processes. The document emphasizes that both the European citizens and the member states need a strong European Union, with joint institutions, which is ready to review its work with a critical eye and is able to reform itself.

“Europe needs a vibrant political debate on the best path forward into the future starting from the Rome declaration of 25^th March 2017 as a basis,” the Presidents stress. In their opinion, the Union is able to withstand a very wide range of opinions and ideas. “However, there definitely must not be a return to a Europe in which countries are no longer equal partners but opponents,” the joint call of the European state leaders further says.