Europe Day held on 9 May every year celebrates peace and unity in Europe. The date marks the anniversary of the historical Schuman declaration. At a speech in Paris in 1950, Robert Schuman, the then French foreign minister, set out his idea for a new form of political cooperation in Europe, which would make war between Europe's nations unthinkable.

To mark Europe Day across the country and raise awareness about the EU, this year similarly to previous years, hundreds of people will take part in visits, debates, concerts and other events.

On 9 May, Europe Day will be celebrated in the cities of Kumanovo, Kriva Palanka, Debar, Kavadarci, Kocani, Gevgelija, Ohrid, Gostivar, Tetovo, Veles, Strumica and Bitola. The EU info relays at the St Cyril & Methodius University in Skopje, the SEE University in Tetovo as well as the Bitola University will engage students in discussions about the European future of the country. The EU Ambassador Samuel Žbogar and other EU Member States ambassadors will take part in the celebrations and convey the message of a joint future (for more details see the attached table).

The central event of the Europe Day programme is the EU village in Stip on 12 May, in the presence of Prime Minister Zoran Zaev, Mayor of Stip Blagoj Bochvarski and EU Ambassador Samuel Žbogar. The event will include presentation of all the EU Member States by students at the Stip University, sports activities as well as musical performances by popular artists. There will be a photo exhibition of national and EU cultural sites in order to mark the European Year of Cultural Heritage (for more details see the attached agenda).

The Delegation of the European Union supports other Europe Day events such as the Skopje marathon, the annual matriculation dance, debates and competitions for children and students organised by the European Movement in Skopje, Veles and Kumanovo, as well as numerous cultural events.

Journalists and photographers are kindly invited to cover these events.

For information relating to this Press Release please contact Mr Konstantin Jovanovski, Press and Information Officer. Tel: +389 (0)2 3248 500; E-mail: konstantin.jovanovski@eeas.europa.eu

Europe Day celebrations organised by the EU Information Network

Europe Day celebration in Stip, 12 May

AGENDA

12h00-12h10:  Official Opening of EU Village

Ribbon cutting ceremony (Square Freedom entrance):

• Blagoj Bochvarski, Mayor of Štip
• Zoran Zaev, Prime Minister
• Ambassador Samuel Žbogar, Head of Delegation of the European Union

12h10-12h15:  Performance of anthems by State musical school "Todor Skalovski-Tetoec" Struga

12h15-12h20: Opening speech by Blagoj Bochvarski, Mayor of Štip

12h20-12h25: Opening speech by Zoran Zaev, Prime Minister

12h25-12h30: Opening speech by Ambassador Samuel Žbogar, Head of Delegation of the European Union

12h30-14h00:  Visit of EU village stands & activities by Prime Minister Zaev, Mayor Bochvarski and Ambassador Žbogar

17h00:             Start of music programme:  

• Zoran Iliev
• Brass Brothers
• Tamara Todevska