Belgian Presidency of the Council of the European Union

The "Ode to Joy" from the Ninth Symphony by Ludwig Van Beethoven is not only the anthem of the European Union but also of Europe in a wider sense.

The motto of the European Union is "United in diversity". The motto means that, via the EU, Europeans are united in working together for peace and prosperity, and that the many different cultures, traditions and languages in Europe are a positive asset for the continent. It was used for the first time in 2000.

In 2008 one in three men and one in five women aged 25 to 34 live with their parents.

Today we celebrate the European and World Day against the death penalty.

The Mont Blanc (4 810 m) is the highest mountain in the European Union.

Trafalgar Square in London is the most visited monument in the European Union.

16 years ago a popular referendum is held in Finland on the country's accession to the European Communities. The Finnish population vote in favour of European integration. On 1 January 1995 Finland joins the European Economic Community.

Exactly 463 years ago, the humanist Justus Lipsius was born in Overijse. Because of his extensive correspondence with various scholars and men of science all over Europe, and because of the numerous journeys he made throughout Europe and the fact that he stayed at various places in Europe, the Council of the European Union was named after him.

London is the largest city of the European Union by population.

The institutions of the European Union cost the European citizen 15 euro a year.

22 years ago the Council decided to create a Court of First Instance of the European Communities (CFI).

94 years ago François Mitterand was born in Jarnac. As the president of the French Republic he was one of the driving forces of his generation behind the European integration.

The total area of the European union is 4 324 782 square kilometers.

The lowest points of the European Union are Lammefjord in Denmark (- 7m) and Zuidplaspolder in the Netherlands (-7m).