Seoul, May 09, 2025 — Today, the Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Korea with the 25 Member States of the European Union in Korea hosts a special event marking May 9^th – Europe Day. Europe Day 2025 marks a special anniversary as it commemorated 75 years since the Schuman Declaration—the historic proposal presented by French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman on 9 May 1950, widely regarded as the starting point of European integration.

Under the theme "Partnering for Peace and Security," this year’s Europe Day emphasizes the importance of global cooperation in safeguarding peace and security. It is of importance as the EU and the RoK adopted last year the Security and Defence Partnership. The event brings together members of the diplomatic and business community in Korea, Korean government officials, scholars, civil society leaders to reaffirm the shared values that underpin the strong partnership between the European Union and the Republic of Korea.

On the same day, the EU Delegation hosts a roundtable discussion titled "Peace in Europe, Peace in Asia: Partnering for Peace and Security", exploring the crucial interlinkages between peace and security and strengthening the EU-Korea partnership to promote stability both globally and across the Indo-Pacific region. 

In her remarks, H.E. Maria Castillo Fernandez, Ambassador of the European Union to the Republic of Korea, stated:

“On this day 75 years ago, then French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman delivered a historic speech that led to the creation of the European Coal and Steel Community and, eventually to the European Union. The idea was to bring European nations closer by pooling the coal and steel production in Europe in order to make war ‘not merely unthinkable, but materially impossible’.

For the past 75 years, the European Union has been committed to peace, partnership, and cooperation, within our borders and worldwide. Even when faced with the greatest challenges, we stand for unity in diversity, working with our partners, such as the RoK, to promote open dialogue, shared stability and prosperity as well as universal values.

As a partner for peace and security, the EU will continue - for as long as it takes - to support Ukraine in order to defend itself and to integrate the EU as a free, independent and democratic country. To show our strong support to Ukraine, we are pleased that the Ambassador of Ukraine has joined our Europe day event”.

The Europe Day event reaffirms the European Union’s commitment to its enduring partnership with the Republic of Korea, rooted in common values of democracy, human rights, and multilateral cooperation.