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Cyprus celebrates Europe Day today May 9 along with all other EU member states as well as Bulgaria and Romania which are due to join in 2007.
Europe Day commemorated May 9, 1950, when French politician Robert Schuman, four years after the end of the second world war, presented his proposal on the creation of an organised, prosperous and peaceful Europe.
This proposal, known as the 'Schuman declaration', is considered to be the beginning of the creation of what is now the European Union.
The Austrian EU Presidency decided this year to celebrate Europe Day by organising a special cultural forum, the 'Cafe d' Europe', where the citizens of Europe will find a place of creativity and discussion. Young and old can gather today at 27 central cafes in every EU capital, including Sofia and Bucharest, to reflect the literary and culinary diversity and variety of Europe.
In statements to CNA on the occasion of Europe Day, Austrian Ambassador to Cyprus Eva Hager said the idea of celebrating Europe Day in the Cafes d' Europe was inspired by the Viennese coffee houses 'that are places for communication, for intellectual exchange and creation, a place for journalists and writers, and a symbol of our collective European heritage'.
'The idea is to convene in 27 European capitals to commemorate this day and to allow the broad public and also the young people, including children, to think loudly about Europe. To discuss, voice their ideas, but also to write a story about Europe,' the Ambassador said.
She added that Europe Day promotes the idea of unity, stability, prosperity and human rights after the disasters of the two World Wars.
Invited to send a message to the Cypriot people on the occasion of Europe Day, she said that the EU is the common future for all Cypriots, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots. 'Europe is precious to both communities of Cyprus', Hager said, adding that Cypriots should unite their future with the future of Europe, thus creating opportunities for the reunification of the island.
The Republic of Cyprus joined the EU on May 1, 2004. | 
