On the occasion of Europe Day, the EU Delegation to Serbia organised a reception at the Belgrade City hall. The reception was attended by Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic, Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic, many government officials, representatives of diplomatic corps and religious communities, as well as politicians and public figures.
Speech by Head of the EU Delegation to Serbia, Ambassador Michael Davenport, at the reception on the occasion of Europe Day:
Ladies and Gentlemen, dear friends/colleagues
It’s a real pleasure to be able to celebrate Europe Day here with you in Belgrade. A big thank-you to the City, Mr Mayor, once again for allowing us to use your beautiful Hall.
Big thank-you too to Jovanka Visekruna Jankovic and her wonderful young musicians who have been performing for us today. Thank you also to Natasa Tasic for performing the anthem for us.
It’s worth reminding ourselves what Europe Day actually celebrates. On this day, 9 May, 66 years ago a huge step was taken to build a new Europe after the destruction and suffering of the Second World War. Robert Schuman, French statesman, invited the countries of Europe to build a new joint future – a step by step approach to a united and peaceful Europe.
We all know what followed. And Europe’s success was recognised by the award of the Nobel Peace Prize in 2012.
Schuman was not just a visionary. His approach was intensely practical. He knew that Europe, could not be built in a day. Nor could it be built according to a single plan, but rather through concrete practical achievements to create true solidarity between its member states.
But Europeans made important choices – choosing peace rather than war, freedom and the rule of law over dictatorship, and co-operation and partnership over conflict. Those choices were backed up by often difficult decisions. And today too we face difficult decisions, for example in rising to the challenge of the migration crisis.
Serbia too has made a fundamental choice – by making the path towards the EU its top strategic priority, with all that that means in terms of reforms and regional co-operation.
And the EU is here to back you in following through with that choice. My Delegation has just one mandate in Serbia – to support you at every step of your journey. Financially of course – the EU is the biggest financial supporter of Serbia. But also by supporting the decisions you take in building a more prosperous country based on respect for fundamental freedoms and the rule of law.
So I forward to working with the newly elected parliament, but also with the new government which will be formed soon – in all the many areas of our ever deeper co-operation. Also with local municipalities and civil society.
Finally, may I take this opportunity on behalf of all my colleagues in the EU Delegation to thank all of you for your support and friendship during the past year.
