Former Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt says Europe Day is an occasion to call on the EU to be a "far more active" geopolitical power.
9 May 2025 marks 75 years since the signing of the Schuman Declaration, the document that created the European Coal and Steel Community in 1950 (which would later become the European Union). Known as 'Europe Day' since 1954, the EU uses the date as an opportunity to celebrate European democracy, solidarity, unity and peace.
The City of Brussels will host free activities on Grand Place from 17:30 to 23:30 on Friday, in collaboration with the non-governmental organisation European Movement International (EMI).
Grand Place in Brussels at night. Credit: The Brussels Times
EMI President and former Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt believes the 75th anniversary deserves renewed attention in the context of the unprecedented crises the EU is facing.
"9 May is a call to the current leadership of the European Union to be far more active in representing what is necessary for the future of Europe: defence, completion of the single market and institutional change," he told The Brussels Times. "We have to play an important geopolitical role in the new world order but we don't have the instruments to do it."
EU acts 'too little' and 'too late'
US President Donald Trump's return to the White House coupled with uncertainty about the future of the Russia-Ukraine war means that the need for an autonomous European defence structure is more critical than ever, Verhofstadt says.
"NATO is still a reliable organisation, but we have to change it from an alliance of individual countries into a real defence structure with a European pillar, and once we leave the North Atlantic sphere, in other parts of the world too."
A 'European defence community' is necessary alongside the global military alliance, the former Premier argues. In his view, an ideal system would involve joint weapons procurement, independently of the United States. "If we do that, we will be more secure than today."
European values are in crisis, with Amnesty International criticising the bloc for failing to live up to its own principles. Internally, it has allowed Hungary and other Member States to degrade the rule of law and press freedom. Externally, the EU has displayed clear double standards regarding the application of international law.
"You can only call for applying [European] values and principles outside your community if you apply them inside your community," says Verhofstadt. "Our weakness in the outside world comes from our weakness inside."
"It's true we have double standards; it's true that we act too slowly. It's because our institutions are not fit for it."
The Council of the European Union, where Member State leaders meet, must vote unanimously on sensitive issues such as foreign affairs. Verhofstadt wants unanimity to be abolished so the EU stops acting "too little, too late".
Brussels, capital of Europe
Verhofstadt will participate in a public discussion with City of Brussels Mayor Philippe Close (PS) at 17:30 in the city hall courtyard on Friday. Members of the public will be able to express their views too.
The discussion will be followed by DJ sets and a light show on Grand Place.
"In the City of Brussels, capital of 184 nationalities, 104 languages and 250 million Europeans, everyone can find their place and feel liberated," Close stated. "This is the Europe we defend: a human, open Europe, just like Brussels."
Find more information about the City of Brussels/EMI event here.
