BRUSSELS (Reuters) - A future European Union constitution will include a flag, an anthem, a motto and a Europe Day, despite British reticence about such state symbols.

The 105-member Convention on the Future of Europe decided at its final session on Thursday to add a reference to the symbols of the 15-nation bloc, due to be enlarged to 25 states next May, in a draft constitution submitted to EU leaders.

The official EU anthem is the "Ode to Joy" from Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, the flag is the dark blue banner with 12 yellow stars in a circle, and the motto is "United in Diversity", not dissimilar from the first motto of the United States, "e pluribus unum".


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I think 'diverse unity' would be a better motto for the EU.

Or, come to think of it, 'Untied in Diversity.'

This is ridiculous. What next? An official language? An official army? Abolishment of national states and the creation of the EU Super State? Where will the integration stop?

well, coming from the point of view of the USA, i can't see why this bothers you guys. a united Europe seems like a good thing to me. of course, i live in a country that is huge and diverse and yet we all seem to work together. Europe has been fragmented so long and has such a history that it may never work the way it has here. the cultural differences are too great.

hell, you guys can't even iron out a national anthem without hostility

But we can cobble together a damn good major world conflict.

Okay, I'm from the US and agree with DS that our country is well diversified and things seem to work well here. On the flipside, I don't think you can compare a United Europe with the United States. Ireland, for example, has been fighting to keep there country as is. They do so to try to preserve their heritage and language. If this can be accomplished, then I think it is a great idea. Not just for Ireland, but all other countries involved in the EU.

For those of you who live in the states that are affected by the EU, what are your thoughts? Is this something that is wanted or something being met with opposition?