Rome treaty: Jean-Claude Juncker says it is a 'tragedy' that EU is celebrating 60th anniversary without Britain

Rome, March 26 : The European Union (EU) on Saturday celebrated the 60th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome here amid concerns over challenges.

The Treaty of Rome was signed in 1957, creating the European Economic Community, a predecessor to the modern EU, Xinhua news agency reported.

Sixty years later, leaders from 27 nations met in the same room to sign the Rome Declaration, stressing their commitment to Europe's "common future."

The document called the bloc a "unique union with common institutions and strong values, a community of peace, freedom, democracy, human rights, and the rule of law."

The Rome Declaration comes as the EU faces some of the most intense challenges in its history.

After the Brexit vote last year, Britain is set to be the first country to leave the bloc.

"It's significant that leaders renewed their pledge for unity, cooperation, and a common future at such a trying point in the European Union's history," Andrea Milanese, a political affairs analyst with ABS Securities in Milan, said in an interview.