Poštovani predsedniče Vlade i predsednice Skupštine
Dragi ministri
Dragi ambasadori,
Dragi gosti i prijatelji,
Dobrodošli!
Today is Europe Day, but What is Europe we celebrate?
Is it a continent? Is it an organisation? Is it a set of rules?
As Ambassador of the European Union, I repeatedly faced such questions.
And here is my answer: it is political project born out of a vision!
Exactly 75 years ago, French Foreign Affairs Minister Robert Schuman presented his vision of Europe.
And what a revolutionary vision at that time!
Five years only after the end of world war two, he presented a vision to prevent another devastating war in Europe.
A vision to build Europe through concrete achievements creating a de facto solidarity.
A vision to lay the foundations for a more united and prosperous Europe.
That vision became reality changed Europe forever, 6 nations came together in 1951 and now 27 member states are proudly united in the European Union, 450 million citizens. We are proud of our values, enriched by our diversity and open to integrate other European countries.
Let me congratulate Austria, Finland and Sweden that today celebrate the 30 years anniversary of their accession to the EU.
The European Union made Austria, Sweden and Finland stronger. And in turn, our Union has changed for the better, thanks to them.
And thanks to EU enlargement more citizens have enjoyed freedom of movement across a larger Union. Opportunities for people and business have grown. Economies have benefited significantly from the growing Single Market, creating more jobs and greater trade ties along the way.
Our Union is anchored in the values of Democracy, the Rule of Law, the protection and promotion of human rights. Dear friends, we are proud of our values and determined to defend them.
Evropa je naša kuća! It is our home, the only home we have and we need to defend it.
75 years ago, Robert Schuman said: World peace cannot be safeguarded without the making of creative efforts proportionate to the dangers which threaten it.”
That vision faces its greatest test in a generation, as war has returned to our continent in the form of Russia’s brutal aggression against Ukraine.
That is why Europe must continue to support Ukraine and today’s European Union must continue to make those creative efforts:
- in strengthening the Europe of Defence, because peace without defence is an illusion;
- in expanding and deepening its network of global partnerships, including through an ambitious trade policy;
- But we need also to complete Europe unification and accelerate enlargement.
Evropa je naša kuća and everyone has to find its place and make our common home stronger, more prosperous and secure.
This is our common objective in Serbia, with Serbia, and for Serbia, together with Serbian citizens, future European Union citizens. Because Serbia is Europe and we are better together – zato što Srbija je Evropa i bolji smo zajedno!
Dame i gospodo, Vaše ekselencije,
poštovani gosti i prijatelji,
Srbija je Evropa i bolji smo zajedno. Together with Serbia and its citizens, we want to further build together a Europe of democratic values for all European citizens. Because human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights are what the EU stands for. We want to defend free and independent journalism which is the indispensable ingredient for accountable institutions.
Srbija je Evropa i bolji smo zajedno. Together with Serbia and its citizens, we want to growth prosperous and independent as a continent. We want our companies to be able to compete on the world market. Srbija je Evropa i bolji smo zajedno. Together with Serbia and its citizens, we want to further work on advancing the environmental and climate protection, promoting access to clean energy. Because the clean transition is not only a moral responsibility towards our children, but also as an economic opportunity for today’s generations.
Srbija je Evropa i bolji smo zajedno. Together with Serbia and its citizens, we want to further ensure the protection of our citizens, their interests and their living standards. We want preserve our social model that we cherish and is admired across the world.
Dame i gospodo, vaše ekselencije,
poštovani gosti i prijatelji,
This is my last Europe Day as EU Ambassador to Serbia. Over the past four years here I lived among you and made many Serbian friends I learned to appreciate your generosity, your joy for life, your sense of community, your ingenuity, your deep sense of human dignity. I want to thank everyone that made me feel home in Serbia.
Therefore, dear friends, while I will be leaving Serbia in the coming months, let me reiterate that the EU will continue to remain fully committed to supporting Serbia and its citizens on the EU accession path, for Serbia to take its rightful seat where it belongs, in the European Union.
Beograd je bio moja kuća četiri godine, ali Evropa je naša kuća zauvek.
Hvala puno i srećan Dan Evrope!!
