Ana Catarina Mendes’ book celebrates 75 years of the Schuman Declaration with clues for the future of Europe

BRUSSELS – The 75th anniversary of the Schuman Declaration is the theme for a book coordinated by MEP Ana Catarina Mendes (PS) that brings together 52 texts from as many Portuguese personalities ranging from politics to culture.

“It was due to great concern about the state of the world and the aim of promoting the defense of democracy and the European Union (EU)” that the MEP decided, taking advantage of the anniversary, “to ask a group of people, some of whom have or had responsibilities in European institutions” for reflections on the future of Europe.

Starting from the declaration that 75 years ago launched what is today the EU, the goal of Ana Catarina Mendes is to “continue building Europe,” said the MEP and former minister to Lusa, noting that she shares “various perspectives and viewpoints.”

In the book “75 Years of the Schuman Declaration, What Future for Europe,” contributors include the President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, the President of the European Council, António Costa, the former President of the European Commission José Manuel Durão Barroso, current and former MEPs, and people connected to culture such as the singer and anti-racism activist Dino de Santiago, among others.

“There are 52 voices that speak on current issues, from climate change to the war in Ukraine, from defense policy to human rights, from various political perspectives,” she added.

The central idea of the work, she also mentioned, is to provide a contribution and “a reason for us to continue having Europe.”

The book will be presented this Thursday in Lisbon by the President of the Bank of Portugal, Mário Centeno, who also contributes to the work, historian José Pacheco Pereira, and journalist Teresa de Sousa. (11/06/2025)