On Europe Day 2014, we will celebrate that the process of European integration has come a long way and remains the continent’s biggest success story. In the face of the upcoming elections however, we must also remind ourselves that we need to do more to overcome the road block of nationalist sentiment.

Just as Robert Schuman accomplished in his declaration on 9th May 1950, Europeans today need to stand firmly behind ideals that reinforce continued political cooperation in Europe – cooperation which would make war between Europe’s nations unthinkable.

The European Movement’s members mark Europe Day each year through organising a variety of festivals, debates and competitions in the schools and streets of our continent. This year, many of the 50+ activities across 20 countries relate to the upcoming European Parliament elections and how the results will effect member states, neighbourhood relations and enlargement processes in a variety of ways.

Jo Leinen MEP, President of the European Movement stated that ‘on Europe Day 2014, 100 years after 1914 and the outbreak of World War I, we must celebrate that through the process of European Integration we now enjoy peace, freedom and security’. Mr Leinen continued ‘we must remember this success when we go to the polls this May, and vote to defend the European idea against populist and nationalist forces that want to destroy it’.