Europe Day 2023
The Delegation hosted one of its largest in-person events in Singapore with S.Iswaran, Minister for Transport and Minister-in-charge of Trade Relations as Guest of Honour.
On his LinkedIn, Minister Iswaran wrote: “Happy to commemorate Europe Day with our friends from the European Union. Singapore and the EU enjoy excellent friendship. The EU is Singapore’s second-largest services trading partner and fourth-largest goods trading partner. It is also our second-largest foreign investor and the top investment destination for Singapore companies. Many distinguished Europeans have made important contributions to Singapore’s architecture, economic development strategy, and education system. I look forward to deepening and broadening our longstanding ties with Europe, as we work for mutual benefit and prosperity for the EU, Singapore, and our region.”
In her remarks, EU Ambassador to Singapore Iwona Piórko said: “EU-Singapore relations are on solid footing, and they are constantly growing deeper and more multifaceted. On the multilateral level, we deeply appreciate Singapore’s strong support for the rules-based international order, including its clear position on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Singapore is a formidable player at the United Nations, and we commend Singapore and Ambassador Rena Lee on successfully presiding over the landmark BBNJ agreement on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction.”
We are also expanding our cooperation in the field of security and defence. In June, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell participates in the Shangri-La Dialogue, the region’s premier defence summit.
The EU and Singapore have accomplished much together in particular the implementation of the EU-Singapore Free Trade Agreement. Singapore is the EU’s main trade and investment partner in Southeast Asia. Our annual trade in goods and services amounts to over 100 billion Euros. EU FDI stocks held in Singapore are valued at an impressive 263 billion Euros, contributing to the creation of many jobs. Singapore is a key partner within ASEAN. More than 10,000 EU companies are present here. They benefit from Singapore as a regional hub to also serve other markets in Southeast Asia and the wider region.
In February, this year we signed the EU-Singapore Digital Partnership, a key deliverable under the EU Strategy for Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific. The EU and Singapore continue to learn from each other as we realise our green transition and cooperate in research and education. 2023 is the European Year of Skills in which we promote the importance of reskilling and lifelong learning to create the workforce we need for a more sustainable future.
We deepened our engagement with youth through Europe Day 2023. Students from the German European School Singapore created artworks inspired by EU 27, forming the event backdrop. The National Anthem of the Republic of Singapore, Majulah Singapura, was performed by Laura Mauer-Stroh, a student of the same school. The European Anthem, Ode to Joy, was performed by a children’s choir from APICS – the Italian Supplementary School in Singapore.
Europe Day on the 9th of May marks the historic Schuman declaration, pronounced in 1950 by French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman that initiated the European integration process following the devastation of the Second World War. We were just six countries in the beginning. Today, we count 27 Member States. Two countries that joined as part of the first enlargement in 1973 – Denmark and Ireland - celebrate 50 years of membership this year. To honour this occasion we ended the night with an unforgettable performance by dancers from Irish Inspirational Dance Singapore. They presented Countess Cathleen from the famous Irish dance show Riverdance.
Europe Day 2023 was made possible thanks to the generous support of our sponsors and many partners: Airbus and BNP Paribas; in-kind sponsor Consorzio di Tutela Prosecco DOC, which provided authentic GI Prosecco for the toast; BeerCellar Asia; Bread, Beer & Brezn; Ecolah; Sedno; and Consorzio del Prosciutto di Parma. The embassies of the Member States of the European Union and the EU business community in Singapore contributed to the evening allowing guests to experience Europe’s rich diversity through its food, drink and culture.
Our events during Europe Month include the Delegation’s flagship arts and culture project – the European Film Festival (EUFF). From 16th to 31st May we present the best of contemporary cinema from Europe at independent cinema space The Projector. All about the festival: www.euff.com.sg
At Europe Day and with EUFF, as Team Europe we Stand with Ukraine. EUFF includes two special screenings for Ukraine.
Watch our Europe Day 2023 video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUebySEoxc0
#EuropeDay #EuropeDay2023
