European Movement-France together with JEF-France ask France to sign the European symbols declaration

In a letter addressed to the French President, the European Movement-France together with JEF-France ask France to sign the European symbols declaration proclaimed on the 13th December 2007 by sixteen member States on the occasion of the signing of the Lisbon Treaty.

Reacting to the withdrawing in the Lisbon Treaty of any reference to the European Union symbols which were mentioned in the Constitutional Treaty, these sixteen countries declared that the European Union symbols “ will continue to be the symbols of the citizens’ shared belonging and bond to the European Union ”:

– the European flag ( a twelve stars circle on a blue back);

– the European hymn ( the Ode to joy, Ludwig van Beethoven’s 9th symphony );

– the European motto ( “ United in diversity” );

– the European day, celebrated all over the European Union ( on the 9th May).

The European Movement-France and JEF-France demand the French President to confirm the efforts that have been carried out during the French presidency of the European Union Council – such as the hanging of European flags – , by signing this declaration.

Moreover, the two associations ask for the 9th May to become a public holiday in the whole European Union, in order to celebrate both the end of the Second World War and the beginning of the European building. The letter addressed to the French President and the appeal for the 9th May are available in French on the European Movement-France website ( www.mouvement-europeen.eu).