Europe (Washington Insider Magazine) —The European Parliament held a special ceremony on Wednesday to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the European Union’s largest enlargement, which saw ten countries join the EU on May 1, 2004. The celebration was attended by key EU leaders, including European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, former EP President Pat Cox, and former Commission President Romano Prodi.
The ceremony also featured former leaders from the ten countries, such as former Prime Minister of Hungary Péter Medgyessy, former President of Latvia Vaira Vīķe-Freiberga, and former Prime Minister of Poland Leszek Miller. Together, they reflected on the transformative impact that EU membership has had on their countries and on the broader European community.
In her address, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola emphasized the enduring strength of unity in Europe despite the challenges faced over the past two decades. She noted that EU membership has brought significant benefits, from enforceable rights for citizens to economic opportunities. Metsola also highlighted Europe’s celebration of its diversity, emphasizing that true unity lies in embracing differences while ensuring equality of opportunity for all.
The event included an interactive session with young people born around the time of the enlargement, giving them the opportunity to engage with the leaders and ask questions. The ceremony concluded with a performance of Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy,” symbolizing the unity and shared values of the European Union.
The enlargement of 2004, which included countries from Central and Eastern Europe, marked a pivotal moment in the EU’s history, and the anniversary celebration reinforced the ongoing importance of integration, diversity, and cooperation among member states.
