Exhibition
Every year, the European Parliament welcomes Heads of State, eminent personalities and religious leaders, and holds events to commemorate historic moments for Europe. These are valuable opportunities to draw media attention to political issues and to raise public awareness of the role and purpose of this unique institution in the world.
16 December 1981: Margaret Thatcher
Margaret Thatcher became the first of the presidents-in-office of the European Council to appear before the European Parliament to give an account of the discussions among Member State leaders.
14 February 1984: The ‘Spinelli Plan’
MEP Altiero Spinelli was the leading figure behind the European Parliament’s proposal for a treaty on a federal European Union, known as the ‘Spinelli Plan’ and adopted by Parliament in 1984.
The road to pursue is neither easy nor certain. But it must be followed and it will be done.
Altiero Spinelli
8 May 1985: Ronald Reagan
US President Ronald Reagan addressed the European Parliament plenary on 8 May 1985. In a diary entry about the visit, Reagan wrote:
My theme was “Freedom works,” and I recognized the near miracle that the Parliament represents.
Joint Declaration against Racism and Xenophobia
In 1986, the Commission, Council and Parliament adopted a Joint Declaration against Racism and Xenophobia, in which they
vigorously condemn all forms of intolerance, hostility and use of force against persons or groups of persons on the grounds of racial, religious, cultural, social or national differences.
11 October 1988: Pope John Paul II
Pope John Paul II spoke on the Vatican's strong support for the ongoing construction of Europe, a peaceful process bringing people together and providing a beacon to the world.
The Europe of today may certainly welcome as a sign of the times the state of peace and cooperation solidly established among her Member States, which for centuries have exhausted their strength by waging war against one another and by trying to obtain hegemony over others.
Pope John Paul II, 11 October 1988
