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EU summit: Leaders meet for Rome anniversary | EU summit: Leaders meet for Rome anniversary |
(35 minutes later) | |
Leaders of 27 European Union countries, not including the UK, are meeting in the Italian capital to celebrate 60 years since the Treaty of Rome was signed. | Leaders of 27 European Union countries, not including the UK, are meeting in the Italian capital to celebrate 60 years since the Treaty of Rome was signed. |
The countries will sign a new declaration to honour the 1957 treaty, which paved the way for the bloc's foundation. | The countries will sign a new declaration to honour the 1957 treaty, which paved the way for the bloc's foundation. |
British Prime Minister Theresa May is not attending the celebrations. | British Prime Minister Theresa May is not attending the celebrations. |
She plans to launch the Brexit process on Wednesday. | She plans to launch the Brexit process on Wednesday. |
Supporters and opponents of the EU are planning marches in Rome. | Supporters and opponents of the EU are planning marches in Rome. |
Security has been tightened across the city following Wednesday's terrorist attack in London. | Security has been tightened across the city following Wednesday's terrorist attack in London. |
Pope Francis welcomed the leaders to the Vatican on the eve of the summit. | Pope Francis welcomed the leaders to the Vatican on the eve of the summit. |
In a speech, he said that all bodies risk dying if they do not look ahead, and thus urged the EU to approach the future with renewed vigour. | In a speech, he said that all bodies risk dying if they do not look ahead, and thus urged the EU to approach the future with renewed vigour. |
He also warned against "false forms of security" promised by populists who want to wall themselves off, and instead urged greater solidarity. | He also warned against "false forms of security" promised by populists who want to wall themselves off, and instead urged greater solidarity. |
The original Treaty of Rome launched the European Economic Community, the EU's forerunner. | The original Treaty of Rome launched the European Economic Community, the EU's forerunner. |
It was signed by six countries: Belgium, France, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and West Germany. | It was signed by six countries: Belgium, France, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and West Germany. |
The US was among those countries that sent congratulatory messages to EU leaders. | |
"Together we look forward to another 60 years and more of shared security and shared prosperity," read the White House statement. | "Together we look forward to another 60 years and more of shared security and shared prosperity," read the White House statement. |
President Donald Trump has more often been critical of the union, calling Brexit a "good thing", and predicting more countries will follow suit. | President Donald Trump has more often been critical of the union, calling Brexit a "good thing", and predicting more countries will follow suit. |
The tough road ahead - by Damian Grammaticas, Europe correspondent | The tough road ahead - by Damian Grammaticas, Europe correspondent |
In a new Declaration of Rome, the 27 countries are reaffirming their shared desire to continue with what is a greatly expanded and deepened union. | In a new Declaration of Rome, the 27 countries are reaffirming their shared desire to continue with what is a greatly expanded and deepened union. |
But there are huge challenges. | But there are huge challenges. |
The UK's looming exit is the Union's biggest setback ever. | The UK's looming exit is the Union's biggest setback ever. |
And after a decade of crises and sense of growing threats at home and abroad, European leaders are looking for ways to reinvigorate their project, but struggling to find a united way forward. | And after a decade of crises and sense of growing threats at home and abroad, European leaders are looking for ways to reinvigorate their project, but struggling to find a united way forward. |