Europe Day 2023: 73 years on, the Schuman vision continues to show the way
On May 9, the EU Delegation in Abuja joined the rest of the EU family to observe Europe Day 2023. A colourful reception hosted by Ambassador Samuela Isopi at her residence not only reflected how far Europe - indeed humanity - has come since the Schumann Vision was espoused, but also underlined how relevant the ideals and values that shaped the EU remain in our world today.
Europe Day celebrates the achievements of the EU within and outside Europe. “It is so important that we make time - at least once a year - to celebrate the European Union and the creative idea which brought us together; an idea we want to spread, to inspire and motivate others about the importance of coming together as the best way to achieve peace, prosperity and sustainable development,” Ambassador Isopi said. She paid tribute to “our Ukrainian friends, who are defending their freedom and these same values with their own lives.”
Europe Day 2023 was significant in more respects. This year marks the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Ambassador Isopi observed that the Schumann idea and the values of freedom, peace, cooperation and solidarity, are today more relevant than ever.
Europe Day also celebrates the EU’s network of partnerships across the world. In this respect, Ambassador Isopi hailed the EU-Nigeria relations and the EU-ECOWAS partnership. She said: “As neighbours and global leaders, the EU and Nigeria are natural partners. We both believe and strongly support multilateralism and rules-based order; we are both enriched by “unity in diversity” and bound by shared values and by a common imperative interest to work even more closely together, in the region, in Africa and on the global scene.”
Expressing the readiness of the European Union and its Member States to work with the new Nigerian Administration on building a win-win partnership to the benefit of the peoples of Nigeria and Europe, she said, “a democratic, peaceful, strong and prosperous Nigeria is in the interest of Europe and the world.”
Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Geoffrey Onyeama, Minister of Health, Osagie Enahire, and Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen, were among the array of high profile personalities that attended the event. Mr Onyeama said the EU remained a model of regional integration for both the ECOWAS region and the African continent. He described the EU and Nigeria as natural partners, and thanked the EU and its Member States for standing by the country as it grappled with its challenges of development.
Members of the diplomatic community, including Ambassadors of the EU member States, Representatives of the International Organisations, including the UN and ECOWAS, members of the National Assembly, were among top dignitaries that graced the occasion.
