KPL
The European Union Delegation to the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, together with EU Member States, celebrated Europe Day. Europe Day itself falls on 9 May. That date marks the 76th anniversary of the historic Schuman Declaration, a landmark proposal made by Robert Schuman, then French Foreign Minister, which laid the foundations of European cooperation.
Schuman’s proposal is regarded as the beginning of what is now the European Union and was made in 1950, just five years after the end of the Second World War.
Robert Schuman’s remarkable declaration was based on two core principles: peace and solidarity. He, together with others of his generation in France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands, shared a vision of a united Europe that would prevent future conflict between European nations.
Their vision was that European countries would pool strategic resources in order to make war between historic rivals, such as France and Germany, impossible.
It was a vision that continued to grow — from six founding nations to the present-day European Union of 27 Member States, alongside nine candidate countries, including Ukraine. The strength of the European Union has always rested in its ability to attract and inspire others. Enlargement remains one of Europe’s most powerful tools for promoting democracy, stability and prosperity across the continent. To mark Europe Day, the EU Delegation to the Lao PDR hosted an official reception in Vientiane on May 07, attended by Ms. Suansavanh Vignaket, Minister of Culture and Tourism, Mr. Maythong Thammavongsa, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lao PDR, alongside with senior representatives of the Lao PDR government, heads of diplomatic missions, UN agencies and other distinguished guests.
The event not only provided an occasion to reflect on the principles of peace and solidarity that have guided European integration since 1950, it also allowed to reaffirm the strong and longstanding partnership between the EU and the Lao PDR.
In today’s changing and challenging world, the EU continues to rely on its founding principles, forging strong and fair partnerships - from Africa to the Indo-Pacific - to address various global challenges, such as climate change, digital transformation and growing pressures on human rights, while defending a rules-based international order that it helped to build over the years.
As Mr. Mark Gallagher, EU Ambassador to Laos, mentioned “We all draw strength from partnerships. Europe is and will remain a strong and reliable partner, including of the Lao PDR, for cooperation, respect for international law, reciprocity and human dignity. Europe Day is not only a celebration of Europe’s unity, but also of our enduring partnerships around the world”.
As the EU advances its commitment to multilateralism and international cooperation, Europe Day serves as a timely reminder that shared challenges require shared solutions, and that unity remains Europe’s greatest strength.
KPL
