EU project is an envied success

LISBON – The President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, marks today the Day of Europe with a message in which he considers that the European project has been globally a success and is envied by others.
In a note published on the official website of the Presidency of the Republic on the Internet, the head of State states that today marks 75 years since the “Schuman Declaration,” the founding moment of the European peace project.
According to the President of the Republic, “with all its imperfections, European construction has been globally a success for its citizens and for the world, as recognized by a majority of Europeans.”
“In Portugal, we have greatly benefited from our accession 40 years ago [to the European Union]. When we are attacked from the east and the west, it is the success of our common European home project that is envied, our democratic balance, our dream of living better together, in freedom and without wars,” says Rebelo de Sousa.
“It is also what we wish for all peoples,” he then states, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa.
In this note, the President of the Republic also mentions that it has been “80 years since the end of World War II in Europe” and notes that now “another terrible war ravages European territory, with Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.”
The head of State believes that, in the current context, “it is good to remember that, over these decades, Europeans have been able to build peace together, restore democracy and freedoms, and solidify the rule of law.”
Europeans have been able to “complete decolonization, respecting the right of peoples to self-determination, promote and respect human rights, ensure well-being, equality of opportunities, and constitute the vanguard of respect for nature and sustainable development,” he adds. (09/05/25)