All 27 European Union Member States have signed the declaration of rome, while admitting that the union had made mistakes in the past and it was their duty to deliver a more social Europe to its citizens.

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni, President of the European Parliament Antonio Tajani, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and President of the European Council Donald Tusk, begun proceedings by outlining their views of the present and future of the Union.

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, in his capacity as current President of the Council of the EU, begun by saying that the union was born out bitter divisions.

He then said that it was a common perception that sacrificing sovereignty in certain areas was something to be frowned upon.

"This is a flawed analysis of the benefits of the Union"

The formation of EU, he said, was able to allow many generations to reap the benefits of the founding principle of human rights, solidarity, eqaulity, justice and rule of law.

"Without the single market, the EU would not have become a force of prosperity, and we would have all been poorer and weaker"

"It is easy to forget previous problem when it has been good for so long"

He went on to say that reinventing and rediscovering EU values was an ambitious project that should reflect the inherent realities of each member state without ignoring the global landscape.  It was imperative, he said, that the EU develops its social dimension.

We are at a junction, and our next moves will have consequence that will resonate in the years to come"

"Taking the right decisions take courage, boldness and mutual trust"

"We need to make implementation and decision making simpler, more efficient, and more resilient in order to withstand any future shocks"

"We must do as we say and say as we do, unless we want to go down in history as the ones who dismantled this 60 year project"

The EU, he maintained, has delivered tangible results through Schengen, erasmus and the principle of solidarity.

Dr Muscat repeated his stance that the principle of solidarity should not be "a la carte, and asked for when you need it, but refused when you do not"

This, he said, was the EU's real test.

"I am not just referring to migration, but also security, economic, and social issues."

He then said that EU skepticism may stem from the fact that social advancement the region previously experienced had stalled,

"The social dimension of the EU is the crux of a strong future, people need the protection they deserve"

"The principle of equality must benefit all citizens, we need to do more to ensure gender equality, and full equality of the LGBTIQ community."

The Prime Minister was asked by the press as to what he meant by social Europe. He said that it was already a massive step that there was a general acceptance that the EU needed a social dimension.

"Six months ago no one would have bet one euro that there would have been convergence on the social aspect"

"It is something that can be delivered and is the antidote to the rise of populism"

He then said that the issue will be refined when the heads of state meet again in Sweden, which he believe will become a "solid building block"

Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni

Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni opened by praising the journey of achievement the EU embarked on following the devastation of World War Two which left "two million Europeans as refugees".

"In a divided state we begun to construct a union of peace and progress. They spoke different languages, had different ideals, but understood that cooperation was good for everyone"

The proof of the founding fathers' good work was evident, he said, by merely looking around the room.

"There were six and now we are twenty-seven. We have become the biggest trade partner in the world, and we're at the forefront of social rights"

He did concede that in the facing of an ever changing world, "Europe had turned up late on immigration, security, growth, and employment".

This, he said, triggered a crisis of rejection in the UK and brought forward strong nationalistic ideals.

"The only true antidote to the emergence of protectionism is the strength of our free trade and the values we attach to human rights"

"We have bring back hope and trust back to our fellow citizens by combating poverty, create common immigration policies, and solve social inequalities"

We have to be brave and create a new vision for the Union"

When responding to questions from the press on the position of the EU in a years time, Mr Gentiloni said that a number of iniatives will be made namely establishing commitments on common european defence by making it more efficient and robust; by making headway in the EU's commitments on economic and social policy; by increasing commitment on employment, migration, security,

On the upcoming French presidential election, which is seeing Marine Le Pen, the leader of the far-right Front National, have 30% of the vote in current polls, Mr Gentiloni said that it was not the position of the EU to adopt any positions in the elections of neighbouring countries but maintained that he was "fully conviced that the role of France in Europe is crucial, and would continue to play a central role"

President of the European Parliament Antonio Tajani

President of the European Parliament Antonio Tajani echoed these sentiments by saying that the desire for liberty and peace allowed Europe to "rise from the ashes of warfare"

He said that the EU "made mistakes" and still needed to do more work to become a better, more complete Union.

"We have to liberate the full potential of the digital market and the energy market"

"I am worried about public dissatisfaction with the EU, and we need to provide answers on unemployment, terrorism, illegal immigration"

"We must not allow this declaration to become a moment of rhetoric or complacent"

He went on to say that in order to face the many challenges facing the EU, the whole of Europe needs to be united.

The President would later tell the media that the  European Parliament has the duty to ensure that what was written in the declaration becomes a reality that supports it citizens.

"It is our duty to push institutions to achieve our goals"

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said that the declaration was an opportunity to renew and recommit to our vows.

"We can only do so by staying united and rise to challenges together. We can create a more prosperous, more social, and safer Europe"

The Commission President then said that it was his impression that he finds greater approval for the EU the further he leaves region.

"We have brought peace, after centuries of war on this bloody continent. It has almost managed eternal peace"

President of the European Council Donald Tusk

President of the European Council Donald Tusk said that the EU is more than slogans, it is about the guarantee that freedom, dignity, democracy, and independence are everyday realities.

He pointed to his experience as a Polish citizen living behind the iron curtain to prove that nothing in our lives is ever guaranteed forever.

"To build a free world required time, effort, and sacrifice"

"A socerighn europe provides a set of common values and democratic standards"

It was not enough, he said, to call for unity but rather to respect common rules, freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, and the rule of law.

"This is the true foundation of our political unity"

"You need to prove today that you are the leaders of Europe"

The Declaration of Rome

The declaration was signed on the 60th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome, which was signed in 1957 by six nations; Belgium, France, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and West Germany,

The Treaty of Rome formed the European Economic Community, a precursor to the EU.

Security is on high alert as the 27 member states sign The Declaration of Rome, which will lay out a vision for the future of the EU post-brexit.

The declaration calls for "a safe and secure Europe" through the strengthening of external borders, while marinating Schengen;  and an "efficient, responsible, and sustainable migration policy".

There is also reference to pledge to listen and respond to the concerns expressed by our citizens and will engage with our national parliament"; and to embrace technological transformation for greater growth, cohesion, competitiveness, and innovation especially for Small and Medium-sized enterprises.

Climate Change is also on the agenda with  the document calling for  "A union where energy is secure and the environment clean and safe"

The legislation also calls for a union "which promotes the equality between women and men" and "fights discrimination, social exclusion, and poverty."

The declaration also highlights the importance of preserving our cultural heritage while also promoting cultural diversity.

The previous declaration, the Berlin Declaration, which was signed a decade earlier prior to the economic recession and rise of the populist far right, highlighted the fight against terrorism, organised crime, and illegal immigration with a pledge to fight racism and xenophobia.

The declaration of Rome comes a few days before the UK triggers article 50 and begins negotiations for its withdrawal from the Union.

EU Commission President Juncker has informed the EU about five possible post-brexit scenarios for Europe, which are:

1. Leaving things as they stand

2. Take away everything except for the Single Market

3. Allowing some members to collaborate more closely together

4. Reducing the scope but do it more efficiently

5. Make bigger steps towards unity and integration among all members

Video: TVM