The Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Serbia, His Excellency Sem Fabrizi, hosted an official reception marking Europe Day at Kombank Dvorana (Kombank Hall) in Belgrade.
Europe Day is an annual celebration of peace and unity across Europe. There are two dates associated with this day: May 5 for the Council of Europe and May 9 for the European Union. For the EU, this occasion is also known as Schuman Day, commemorating the historic declaration made by the French Foreign Minister, Robert Schuman.
The Council of Europe marks its own founding in 1949, while the European Union celebrates the date of the proposal to create the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC) in 1951. Europe Day has since become one of the EU’s symbols of unity, promoting solidarity among Europeans.
“The European perspective of the Western Balkans, and especially of Serbia, is well recognized,” stated His Excellency Sem Fabrizi, Head of the EU Delegation. He recalled the Schuman Declaration, delivered in May 1950 by French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman, which proposed cooperation between Germany and France in the production of coal and steel. Fabrizi described it as “a simple yet revolutionary concept” that transformed Europe into a unified and secure continent after two world wars.
The event brought together numerous distinguished guests from diplomatic and cultural circles, including Dr. Ion Omoran, President of the National Council of the Romanian National Minority, and Her Excellency Oana Cristina Popa.
The date May 9 also marks Victory Day over Fascism in World War II, while simultaneously being celebrated as Europe Day — commemorating the founding of the European Union.
