By Ambassador Giorgio Aliberti, Head of the European Union Delegation to Vietnam

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Today we celebrate Europe Day. We commemorate the founding statement of Robert Schuman, then Foreign Minister of France. On the 9th of May 1950, five years after the Second World War, Schuman proposed a plan for peace by bringing Europe under a common roof, by sharing sovereign competences under supranational authority, embedded in common institutions.

Over the years, our Union's membership has grown from six to now 27 to become the world’s largest peace project. The dreams of our founding fathers have become a reality.

But peace and prosperity - based on a deep commitment to fundamental rights, democracy, human right and the rule of law - cannot be taken for granted. Since we see conflicts and wars in the world, among which in Ukraine, causing terror and civilian casualties. The Ukranians are fighting the aggressor. They stand up for their freedom. The EU has stood with the Ukrainians from day one.

In today’s Europe, we see that democracy is a constant work in progress; we share a responsibility to safeguard and nurture it. We have a responsibility to stand up to protect the fundamental values and interests that we share with peoples around the world.

This year, we celebrate Europe Day differently from the last two years, as the world gradually reopens after the most acute phase of the pandemic. The shadow of COVID-19 created a health crisis and pushed the world into the worst global economic crisis since the Second World War. But against this backdrop, it showed the strong solidarity the EU has given to the world: rolling out vaccination campaigns worldwide to race with the virus and its mutations. 

As one of the first and largest contributors to COVAX, Team Europe contributed over EUR 4 billion in cash and loans, and additional donations. By early April, Viet Nam has received around 65 million vaccines fully paid by donors to COVAX, out of which Team Europe contribution amounts to around 14 million doses. In addition, the contribution of Member States via the COVAX dose-sharing mechanism is 6.3 million doses and the bilateral donation by Member States stands at 12.4 million doses. All together Team Europe has contributed over 31.8 million doses (around 15%) of vaccines to support Vietnam’s vaccination campaign.

On our birthday, we are so proud to see that today the European Union, with its rich blend of cultures, with its multitude of languages, stands as the peaceful "House of Europe", a global centre of cultural heritage, a powerhouse of trade and investment, science and innovation and, increasingly, a rising actor in international politics.

In recent years, European leaders have demonstrated that they had the courage to address the most challenging questions. Each time, the unity of purpose saw us through and we emerged not only together but also stronger. In the context of the on-going conflict on the continent, the European Union has formally approved the Strategic Compass, an ambitious plan of action for strengthening the EU's security and defence policy by 2030.

The strength of our Union lies in unity, solidarity and determination. The objective of the Strategic Compass is to make the EU a stronger and more capable security provider.

And we continue to work on our global responsibilities. The EU has become a truly global player, able to promote its values and interests around the world.

Today, among the world’s top ten most competitive economies, five are from Europe. The EU is the biggest trader in goods and services: double the volume of China, triple the volume of the US. We are the world's Number 1 foreign investor as well: in ASEAN, India, the US, and China. The EU and its Member States provide 60% of global development aid, and are the main contributor to the work of the UN.

More than ever, the EU is keen to pursue its "Strategic Autonomy" and shape its foreign policy on its own terms. We are also reaching out to Asia with a new strategy on connecting Europe and Asia, boosting connectivity that is sustainable, rules-based and comprehensive.

This is the reason for the recent EU Strategy for Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific adopted in 2021 that demonstrates the EU’s recognition of the growing importance of the region and its commitment to reinforcing its role in cooperation with its partners here.

And Vietnam is always a key partner in all our cooperation.

Vietnam is currently the second most open economy of ASEAN after Singapore and is the biggest exporter of goods to the EU. Among the ASEAN 10, Vietnam sends the largest number of students and scholars to the EU. Within ASEAN, you are the second country, only after Indonesia, to have signed an agreement to ban illegal trade in wood, protecting natural forests and gaining sustainable access to the EU market.

In the context of a difficult situation around the world, Vietnam’s socio-economic scenario in the first four months of 2022 has showed signs of recovery, achieving many positive results in almost all fields. It is in our strong conviction that in the Year of the Tiger – the animal symbolising strength and courage – Vietnam, with its dynamicsm will manage to escape the shadow of the pandemic.

Our relations are strong. On 28 April, we held the third EU-Vietnam Joint Committee. We discussed a broad range of topics, including security and defence cooperation, trade and investment, sustainable development, climate change and the sustainable energy transition, fisheries and deforestation, as well as good governance, the rule of law and human rights.

We are in strong belief that the EU Strategy for Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific would serve as an excellent basis for further strengthening of our cooperation. 

I would like to conclude by saying that amid all the challenges and crises in which we are coping, Europe Day is an opportunity for all of us to commemorate past achievements, but also to look ahead at how we can shape our brighter future together.