Europe just got a little closer to Pittsburgh.

Yesterday marked the University Library… Europe just got a little closer to Pittsburgh.

Yesterday marked the University Library System’s acquisition of a coveted collection of European documents.

The collection, which Pitt won through an open competition, contains collections of documents from the Council of Europe and the European Coal and Steel Community, two European trade associations that resulted in the European Union. Many of the documents date back more than 50 years.

At the ceremony, Chancellor Mark A. Nordenberg said the collection of more than 16 million pages “extends our already extensive collection of EU documents” and “solidifies Pitt’s international standing.”

Representing the European Union at the dedication were John Bruton, the European Commission’s ambassador to the United States, and Samuel Zbogar, Slovenia’s ambassador to the United States. Slovenia currently holds the European Union presidency.

Prior to the dedication, Bruton and Zbogar spoke to nearly 200 people about current issues faced by the European Union.

Zbogar specifically addressed many of the EU’s challenges.

“You have powers moving from west to east and from north to south,” he said. “We are very passionate about the EU. We are very passionate about making it stronger.”

Slovenia became an independent country in 1991 after the break up of Yugoslavia.

It became a member of the European Union in 2004.

“At that time, we were a problem for the international community,” Zbogar said.

He credited the European community for its contribution to his country’s peace process.

Zbogar also made a connection between Pittsburghers and Europeans, specifically Slovenians.

“Pittsburgh is an important city for Slovenians in the United States,” Zbogar said, because of its immigrant history.

Speaking about the integration that has occurred as a result of the EU, Zbogar said, “There will be no borders. It’s like in the United States, once you get in, you can travel about.”

He noted that with increased freedom to travel within Europe, security at Europe’s outer borders will have to increase.

“The EU represents stability