Europe's greatest endeavor

The European Union celebrated its 50th anniversary Sunday. On March 25, 1957, France, West Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg signed the Treaties of Rome, creating the European Atomic Energy Community and the European Economic Community. The six countries' aspiration to form a common market through the removal of trade barriers was based on their determination to prevent future wars through economic cooperation and integration.

The fact that European leaders celebrated the EU's 50th birthday in Berlin with German Chancellor Angela Merkel serving as the EU's rotating president was a positive symbol. Germany started World War II and had fought many other wars, with France especially. It is remarkable that such ominous rivalry has disappeared from the face of Europe.

Ms. Merkel grew up in Stalinist East Germany. When the Treaties of Rome were signed, 15 of the current 27 EU member nations were under dictatorship or deprived of independence, as pointed out by former Portuguese Prime Minister Jose Manuel Barroso, president of the European Commission, the EU's executive body. Now some 490 million people in the EU member nations enjoy freedom of thought, speech and movement.

But the fact that the Berlin Declaration on Sunday was signed only by Ms. Merkel, Mr. Barroso and EU Parliament speaker Hans-Gert Poettering points to the differences of opinion among European leaders about the future shape and operations of the EU. The declaration failed to mention an EU Constitution and future enlargement, notably the issue of Turkey's entry into EU. Although Ms. Merkel is seeking ratification in 2009 of a new treaty incorporating the substance of the stalled constitution, there is no consensus.

People are weary of the effects of immigration and globalization and the power of the EU bureaucracy. EU faces the difficult task of establishing an open economy while ensuring social cohesion and a common order while guaranteeing diversity. But this is a worthwhile endeavor, however difficult it may be.