News

Europe Day in the occupied Palestinian territory: sharing hope for a better future

11-05-2012

 

Europe Day in Ramallah on 9 May with an open-air exhibition of more than twenty EU-funded projects from East Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza, showcasing the EU's support and how this is making a real difference in the daily lives of Palestinians. The EU Representative, Mr. John Gatt-Rutter, and Prime Minister Salam Fayyad marked the opening of the event in the presence of hundreds of visitors. 
 
"The 9th of May is an occasion for the European Union to celebrate hope and common achievements and to look towards creating a better future. Europe Day is also an opportunity to celebrate the enduring relations between the European and Palestinian people. We are very happy to have with us today organizations and partners from Jenin, Hebron, Salfit, Qalqilya, the Jordan Valley, Bethlehem, Jerusalem as well as Gaza which shows how far-reaching the EU-Palestinian partnership is," said the EU Representative in his speech. "Europe Day's message speaks across continents: this day is a symbol of a long-run effort to put aside our bloody history and promote peace and democracy through closer integration. We are certain that these principles will guide the creation of an independent Palestinian state which will be the only guarantee for a better future in this region."
 
A variety of Palestinian products were exhibited, Bedouin communities from the outskirts of Jerusalem performed traditional music and dance and hundreds of children engaged in recreational activities, learning more about Europe and the EU Member States.
 
Europe Day celebrates the founding of the European Union, when European leaders decided to set aside differences and work together for the greater good of the people of Europe. On 9 May, the EU marks the symbolic date when in 1950 French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman put forward his ideas of a united Europe to bring lasting peace and prosperity to the continent. From the original Six to twenty-seven European countries today, the European Union is spreading democracy, the rule of law and respect for human rights to more than 500 million European citizens. What started off as a coal and steel community and then turned into a broader economic club has since turned into an outward-looking Union with a growing role and reach, acting as a force for good in Europe and globally. (EU Neighbourhood Info)
 
Read more
 
Press release
 
EU Technical Office in Jerusalem
 
EU External Action – occupied Palestinian territory
 

 


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