European leaders gather in Rome to celebrate Treaty of Rome 60th anniversary

World Today

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Leaders and politicians from all over the remaining states of the European Union are in Rome to celebrate 60-years since the Treaty of Rome was signed, the document that ultimately led to the EU.

Now EU leaders are looking to map a path forward after Brexit.


CGTN’s Guy Henderson reports.


Follow Guy Henderson on Twitter @guyhendersonde

On the streets of Rome – there was more than one march for Europe.

Here they see Brussels’ lack of power as the problem.

Days after terror reached the U.K. parliament – leaders met behind a layer of tight security but without Great Britain present.

Beneath the same balustrades where the EU’s forefathers met 60 years before. And yet, like those they represent, they are divided.

Greece and Poland had threatened boycotts.

“It is not enough to call for unity and to protest against multiple speeds. It is much more important that we all respect our common rules,” European Council President Donald Tusk said.

With last-minute wrangling over texts ironed out – what some see as an historic signing ceremony. Agreeing – perhaps most importantly – that from now on, disagreeing won’t mean deadlock.

There is no mention of ever-closer union in the Rome Declaration. Instead, it describes an EU moving at different speeds.

Critics worry that new flexibility may drive members further apart.