To mark the 60th anniversary of the Treaties of Rome, the Foundation organised a commemorative event on Thursday 30 March 2017, in partnership with the Delegation of the European Union in Switzerland and for the Principality of Liechtenstein, bringing together for one evening the six ambassadors in Bern from the founding Member States of the European Communities (Germany, Belgium, France, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands).
Gilles Grin, Director of the Foundation, presented a historical introduction on the theme of “Jean Monnet and the Treaties of Rome”. The six ambassadors were then invited on stage for a discussion moderated by journalist Chantal Tauxe on their personal experience of European integration. Ambassador Michael Matthiessen, Head of the European Union Delegation in Bern, closed the evening by reviewing the signing of the Rome Declaration on 25 March 2017, providing a future perspective for the event.
Taking advantage of the last rays of sunshine on a bright spring day, speakers and guests were invited to continue the evening around a dinner aperitif within the walls of the Ferme de Dorigny.
Introduction by Gilles Grin : « Jean Monnet and the Treaties of Rome »
Conference-debate: “European integration from the perspective of the six founding members”, with :
• H.E. Mr. Frank Recker, Ambassador of Belgium
• H.E. Dr. Otto Lampe, Ambassador of Germany
• H.E. Mrs Anne Paugam, Ambassador of France
• H.E. Mr. Marco Del Panta, Ambassador of Italy
• H.E. Mr. Marc Thill, Ambassador of Luxembourg
• Chancellor Kees Smit Sibinga, Netherlands
Moderated by Mrs Chantal Tauxe, journalist
Conclusion by H.E. Mr. Michael Matthiessen : « What future for the European Union 60 years after the Treaties of Rome? »