The 50th anniversary of the creation of the European Union was celebrated yesterday in Berlin - amid debate from Eurosceptics as to its economical efficiency.

The German capital hosted several street parties over the course of the weekend culminating with a gala concert and dinner attended by leaders of the 27 member states.

Capital cities across the EU also celebrated with late-night museum openings, rock concerts and raves, while Rome's historic centre was shut off to traffic to make room for a "European Village".

However, the celebrations have also stirred up debate among EU sceptics who have linked the "lukewarm" 50th anniversary celebrations with problems at its core.

Writing in the Telegraph, Roger Bootle, managing director of Capital Economics and economic adviser to Deloitte, claimed that while the EU has its economic advantages - the free movement of goods, capital and labour, and stimulated competition in air travel - "forests of ludicrous and damaging regulations" and "wasteful spending of member countries' money" also showed flaws within the system.

The bi-centenary celebrations also coincided with the announcement of the "Berlin Declaration" - which calls for some of the reforms proposed in the Germany's constitution to be carried out by 2009.

Since the signing of the Treaty of Rome in 1957 the EU has grown from six members states to 27 with other countries eager to gain entry.