Europe Day 2026 in Addis Ababa: celebrating unity, diversity, and dialogue
The event brought together high-level representatives from the Ethiopian government, the African Union, EU Member States, international organisations, civil society, and the diplomatic community to reflect on decades of collaboration rooted in mutual respect, shared values, and a common commitment to sustainable development, peace, and prosperity.
In her keynote address, the EU Ambassador to Ethiopia, Sofie From-Emmesberger, stressed:
“As we celebrate Europe Day here in Ethiopia, we also honor 51 years of a strategic partnership that has stood the test of time. Our relationship is built not only on shared interests, but on a shared vision for a more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable future. The European Union remains firmly committed to working hand in hand with Ethiopia and its people in addressing today’s challenges and unlocking tomorrow’s opportunities.”
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EU Ambassador to the African Union, Javier Nino Perez on his part recalled “the European Union is delivering on its starting promise from 1950: freedom, equality, and democracy – within our borders and all around the world. In today’s context, these are at risk and we stand strong, together with EU Member States and our African partners, to promote a fairer, safer, and more sustainable world. We stand firm, with the African Union, to defend international law, stability and the predictability of a rules-based order that reflects directly into the lives of European and African citizens.”
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Over the past half-century, the EU–Ethiopia partnership has evolved into a robust and strategic relationship encompassing development cooperation, investments, trade, humanitarian assistance, and political dialogue. The European Union remains one of Ethiopia’s key partners, supporting initiatives in areas such as infrastructure, climate resilience, renewable energy, governance, education, and economic reform. As the EU and Ethiopia look ahead, both partners reaffirmed their commitment to deepening cooperation and advancing shared priorities, including sustainable development, regional stability, and inclusive economic growth.
The AU-EU partnership stands as a one-of-a-kind, reliable and long-term collaboration in promoting African stability in a multidimensional approach reaffirmed at the 7th AU-EU Summit, held in Luanda in November 2025. This partnership focuses on four main pillars: peace and security, prosperity, people and planet-multilateralism. EU’s support of AU-led action across all sectors has been delivered in a manner that no other partner -bilateral or multilateral - has matched to date. As concrete examples, only in the last months, we launched a Groundbreaking Museum Partnership, strengthen our Health Partnership and enhanced African trade and investment and the EU received the Most Valued Partner Award for Governance, Peace and Security in Africa.
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The Europe Day celebration in Addis Ababa this year featured EU Children Races 2026, cultural activities and exhibitions showcasing European values and the diversity of the EU, Ethiopia and the African continent. This year’s event carried special significance, underscoring not only Europe’s unity but also the strength of its global partnerships and the strong joint commitment to promote effective multilateralism.
Europe Day, observed annually on 9 May, marks the anniversary of the Schuman Declaration, which, in 1950, laid the foundation for what is now the European Union, a new era of peace, integration and cooperation across the continent. In today’s changing and challenging world, the European Union stands as a strong and reliable partner to strengthen security, boost prosperity, and protect a model of democratic and plural societies. This year, we are celebrating the 40th anniversary of the first official Europe Day celebrations and public use of the EU flag and anthem. More information here.
For media inquiries, please contact:
EU Delegation to Ethiopia
Solomon Kebede
Press and Information Officer
Phone: +251 911 684 101
Email solomon.kebede@eeas.europa.eu
Website: https://www.eeas.europa.eu/delegations/ethiopia_en?s=98
EU Delegation to AU
Biruk Feleke
Email: Biruk.FELEKE@eeas.europa.eu
Follow us: #AUEU / Website / X / Facebook / Instagram / YouTube / Team Europe Addis WhatsApp Channel
