The aim of this conference was to remember and revive the “spirit” of the original ECSC Interministerial Conference, held in Messina in 1955, which provided a fundamental impetus to the European integration process and opened the way for the signing of the Treaty of Rome in 1957. In so doing, this was an opportunity for political, institutional, economic and civil society representatives to debate the State of the European Union sixty years after that crucial event.

The follow up, held between 3 and 6 June 2015 was co-organised by the European Movement Italy (CIME), and the Municipality and the University of Messina. Many decision makers and experts from several EU member states, including the President of the Italian Senate Piero Grasso, the former President of the EMI, Enrique Baron Crespo, and the Mediterranean Southern shore countries gathered together and took part in a series of events on the island of Sicily.

Within this framework, the EMI Politicial Committee “Europe in the World” also met at a workshop hosted by EMI Vice-President, Ugo Ferruta, to discuss the review of the European Neighbourhood Policy and Migration Crisis. Opening remarks were made by Professor Aldecoa, Vice-President of EM Spain, and Olimpia Troili from “ Alternativa Europea”.

Over 4-days the conference also focused on the topic of Euro-Mediterranean relations, the environment, immigration and the consequent challenges that the EU has to face nowadays in those fields. These activities were also part of the S.M.I.L.E. (Sharing Messina Ideal a Lesson for all Europe) Project, co-founded by the Europe for Citizens programme, which allowed many students, who won a school competition (taking place in the six founding countries), to participate in the Messina days.

You can also download below an “Appeal from Messina” – a text prepared and made available to the public at the end of these days of debate, which has been endorsed by the participants of the Convention.