Foreign Minister Bishop,

Members of the Parliament,

Secretary Adamson,

Dean of the Diplomatic Corps,

Your Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen

Dear Friends,

It is fantastic to see so many of you here to celebrate Europe Day. This is the anniversary of the French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman’s 1950 Declaration, when he launched the visionary idea to share sovereignty over coal and steel production, to forestall further wars in Europe.

This idea became a long-lasting commitment: the Treaty of Rome in 1957 set a new benchmark for cooperation and launched what is today – 60 years later - the most advanced project of international governance in the world. And peace has indeed endured, prosperity has been created.

It has not all been plain sailing. The recent outbreak of populism and nationalism has been a bit of a challenge ... I am sure that M. Schuman would be very pleased with the results of the French Presidential Election.

Today we also celebrate 55 years of diplomatic relations between Australia and the European Union. This means we are celebrating our Emerald Anniversary.

I would like to pay tribute to the Australian government and Minister Bishop in particular, who have given such impetus to the relationship over the past four years with your vision and enthusiasm.

Thank you Minister for being here tonight.

I hope you will all have a look at the panels prepared by DFAT, The National Archives of Australia (special thanks to Director David Fricker and his team), and the EU Delegation to Australia.  

These tell the story of the evolution of the European project from common market to global power.

In the early days of the EU-Australia relationship we focussed on trade, steel, and agriculture – and the road was sometimes pretty rocky!  

Once upon a time Australian farmers were not so happy with the EU's Common Agricultural Policy…

… today, the panels illustrate how Australia and the European Union – as like-minded partners  in the UN, G20, WTO – carry on joint activities: from anti-piracy cooperation, to Pacific development, to plans for a Free Trade Agreement with investment, services, opportunities for SMEs at the forefront.

We want to make a real difference for citizens, with the ultimate objective of peace and prosperity for all.

Diplomatic relations are not only about institutions. In four years here I have met fantastic people who make this partnership real: a young Australian astronaut who works in the European Space Agency in Frankfurt; an officer of the Australian Federal Police working against international terrorism at EUROPOL in The Hague; journalists, researchers and students from across of Australia heading for the EU on our exchange programs. I have met some of the businesses that make Europe the biggest investor in Australia. I have even come across a young Australian enologist who has brought innovative antipodean ideas to vineyards of Southern France …

We are delighted that next month in Sydney, with the support of the Australian government, we will gather together some of these stakeholders in the relationship for the inaugural EU-Australia Emerging and Senior Leaders Forum.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

For the Future, of course the panels will have to be written. I have no doubt we will have more great stories in the next 55 years.

Thank you very much.

#EuropeDay2017