This month will see celebrations to mark the fiftieth anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Rome that established the European Economic Community (EEC) – the forerunner of today's European Union. Amid the banner-waving, rousing speeches and media attention devoted to assessing the successes and failures of the “great European experiment” it might escape the public's attention that the occasion also marks the fiftieth anniversary of the Euratom Treaty. This anniversary will doubtless be celebrated with less razzamatazz than that of the EEC Treaty but it is likely to provoke heated debate and polarised viewpoints. The Euratom Treaty has constantly been subjected to reappraisal and political scrutiny. It is correct that such an important treaty be the subject of scrutiny. At times, however, sensible debate has been hindered by unnecessary controversy borne out of a lack of understanding of the origins, objectives and functioning of the Treaty. It continues to suffer the vitriol of lobbyists and governments opposed to nuclear energy, who have a tendency to ignore the facts. As the saying goes, “never let the truth get in the way of a good story.”

Whatever your views on the Euratom Treaty might be, its fiftieth anniversary will undeniably put the spotlight once again on its relevance, applicability and future. So, it is worth reminding ourselves of exactly what the Treaty's main objectives were then – and remain today. In simple terms, the Treaty seeks to:

• contribute to the formation and development of Europe 's nuclear industry, so that all Member States can benefit from nuclear energy
• enhance security of energy supply
• guarantee high standards of safety for the public and workers
• ensure that nuclear materials are not diverted from civil to military use

The Treaty has, of course, been adapted to take account of other treaty changes and has given rise to a substantial body of secondary legislation over the years. But 50 years on it is still in force. It is no less relevant today than it was then.

The most useful thing about anniversaries is that they invite us to look back, take stock, and apply the lessons of the past to the future. A brief look at the history of the Euratom Treaty is necessary to put things into proper context. Then the debate about the pros and cons of the Treaty, where it is today and what the future holds can begin in earnest.