Press Release: 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome: the EU launches a competition for a birthday logo

'Happy Birthday EU'. This is the motto for a logo competition launched jointly by the Commission, the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions. Art and design students, and design professionals who have graduated in 2006, are invited to design a birthday logo that will be the official symbol for the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome in 2007. The Commission and all other European Institutions will use the winning logo for all events during 2007 related to the 50th anniversary. The Member States, regional and local authorities will be invited to use the logo for their particular events. The closing date for the competition is 30 September 2006. The selection of the winning logo will be made by a jury consisting of representatives from the five institutions and co-chaired by Commission Vice-President Margot Wallström and Vice-President of the European Parliament Alejo Vidal-Quadras. The award for the best logo is € 6000. There will also be awards for the second and the third best logos, € 4000 and € 2000 respectively. The three awarded designers will be invited to a prize ceremony in Brussels in the autumn.