NEWS Europe Celebrates 60th Anniversary of the Treaty of Rome

By Adam Smulevich
 
Europe and the world have their spotlight on Rome where the sixtieth anniversary of the Treaty of Rome was recently celebrated. The pivotal international agreement was signed in 1957 by Belgium, France, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and West Germany, establishing the European Economic Community (EEC). Today, the document is still one of the most important treaties in the European Union.
 
Currently Italian Jewry is also taking part in reviving the challenge of unity against the many challenges faced by the western world such as terrorism, nationalism, and growing intolerance.
The President of the Union of Italian Jewish Communities, Noemi Di Segni, was one of the guests at the opening ceremony of the Parliament which was attended by all the major national leaders. At her side were representatives of each of the major religions.
 
“A part of our citizens feel more and more threatened, less protected and are looking for answers. However, very often, they turn to the rediscovery of sovereignist values which leads towards nationalism. If we do not stop it in time, we’ll find it harder to stop later,” Prime Minister of Italy Paolo Gentiloni stressed in his speech.
 
According to the President of the European Parliament Antonio Tajani, we are facing one of the most difficult times in the 60 years of the history of a united Europe.  At the same time “the recent vote in the Netherlands shows that there is still a desire for a united Europe”.