“There has been no war in the countries of the Union for more than 70 years.”

Fact!

Excellent!

(But that’s what may be called a statement of “Negative Peace”.)

Being Positively Peaceful is hard, continuous work – something over which we can never rest on our laurels.  The existence of the European Union means that nations and their representatives constantly talk, confer, argue, negotiate and reach agreements with each other.  It’s that that keeps peace alive.

The Council, formed of representatives of the 28 Governments, meets to thrash out policy.  The Commission, consisting of the officers employed by the Union, does the work behind the scenes, advising and implementing.  The Parliament, directly and democratically elected every four years by the voters of the 28 states, debates, monitors, legislates and keeps us informed.  For example, the EU agrees common standards for rail developments that facilitate cross-border rail travel making it easier for freight and passengers to get about Europe.

Far less formally are those of us who visit, tour, study and make our main, and even second, homes in the Union – and not necessarily in the country where we were born and brought up.

No weapons or military forces are needed to keep us together.

We love our Europe – from Cyprus to Ireland, from Portugal to Finland.  We love all its countries.  We love all its peoples in equal measure.

We firmly support remaining in the European Union because we just know that the promotion of peace and harmony and international co-operation is good for human kind.

Any questions?  Contact John Morris on info@peaceparty.org.uk