Offensive and wrong? No, but choosing so few people from so many participating nations (and make no mistake, the EU is a lot looser conglomeration, even today,

Offensive and wrong? No, but choosing so few people from so many participating nations (and make no mistake, the EU is a lot looser conglomeration, even today, than the US) would be impossible without at least some hurt feelings. So fictional bridges is what you get, for peace and symbolism.