Europe Day Speech by Ambassador Baum, Head of Delegation of the European Union to Botswana & SADC

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am pleased to welcome you again to the EU Residence for this lunch time
reception. As usual, I would like to recall that we celebrate with this reception
the anniversary of the Schuman Deceleration of 9th May 1950 when the then
French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman made his landmark speech on his
vision to unite the nation states of Europe into a single community. It remains
one of the most powerful political ideas ever articulated and which has turned
Europe into a zone of peace and prosperity. Today, we are a union of 28
member states that have come a long way, but admittedly the road has been a
little bumpy more recently.
What seems absurdly strange is that the European Union seems to be subject
of huge disparities in perceptions – both inside and outside the Union. Many
Europeans seem to suffer from an identity crisis: are we too much Europe or
not enough? Some take the objectively incredible achievements of the
European integration process for granted and believe they may be better off
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without the Union. Of course, you are all aware of the forthcoming
referendum on the EU membership in the UK in a few weeks' time, but the
doubts that many seem to feel in the UK are pretty widespread across the
continent. On the other hand, there are millions of people whose only dream is
to come to Europe – attracted by its peace, its prosperity, its respect for
human rights, the freedom of speech, of believe etc. People from Eritrea,
Afghanistan, Pakistan, Morocco, Iraq, and Syria – just to name few of the most
important countries of origin – don't want to go to other places; in fact, they
risk their lives to get to Europe.
Given that our continent appears somewhat unsettled, the High
Representative for Foreign Affairs, Federica Mogherini, has provided us with
some remarks on the occasion of Europe Day: she said:
"For the first time in our history, our European Union faces an existential
threat. This is not simply about terrorism: we have the tools to defeat the
terrorist threat and prevent radicalisation. This is for sure not about migration:
a Union of half a billion can manage the current flows, protect lives and build
strong partnerships with other countries, in our region and beyond.
The existential threat comes from within our own borders.
Our Union is at risk when we build walls, instead of tearing them down.
Our Union is at risk when we behave as part-time Europeans – we call for help
when we need it, but we are not ready to help.
In this tough moment in the history of the world, the world needs a strong
Europe more than ever. We have a responsibility to our own citizens, and also
to the rest of the world.
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Since I took office, one and a half years ago, I have travelled the entire world.
And everywhere I go, people look at Europe with so much admiration, and
hope.
Despite all difficulties we are still the only successful process of regional
integration, and the richest continent in the world. In no other place is there so
much freedom – freedom to speak our mind, freedom to move, freedom to
pray and not to pray, freedom to love, freedom to vote, freedom to choose our
own destiny and work to make it real.
Everywhere in the world we are the first trading partner, the first investor, the
first donor for humanitarian and development aid, the first diplomatic power.
Too often we forget how strong we can be.
This is why we need Europe day: to be proud of what we have achieved, to
keep in mind that we cannot take it for granted, and to realise that European
and non-Europeans need Europe."
Honourable Minister, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I just want to highlight that despite the challenges we are facing, we are here
to stay, to remain a powerful actor and responsible friend and partner. With
every crisis we have gone through, the European integration process has
become rather stronger than weaker.
The EU's friendship and partnership with Botswana celebrates this year its 40th
Anniversary. Our relations go back to the first Lomé Convention, which entered
into force in April 1976, when Botswana and what is now the European Union
started their close and successful cooperation. We have accompanied and
supported Botswana's development over most of its existence as independent
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state. We congratulate the people of Botswana to the 50th Anniversary of their
beautiful country. It has for all of us been a period of breath-taking and largely
positive changes. And while the years between 40 and 50 years seem to be the
period of midlife crisis we should look ahead with optimism and determination
not to take the achievements of the past for granted. The current situation in
Europe teaches us to be sensitive to the sentiments of the people, to listen but
also to lead with determination and without losing our people along the way.
The EU has supported Botswana with numerous projects and programmes
over the years and we are currently one of the very few development partners
left. However, I see the relations between the EU and Botswana evolving in
future more around economic cooperation and less around development
cooperation. The EU and six SADC countries, among them Botswana, have
scheduled the signature of the Economic Partnership Agreement soon. This
should provide us with a new platform for a mutually fruitful cooperation and
for more and more substantive dialogue around economic issues.
Later this year, the EU and the Group of African, Caribbean and Pacific
countries (ACP) will start first discussions on our relations in the period
following the expiry of the Cotonou Agreement in 2020, the successor of the
Lomé Convention. Botswana has been an active member of the ACP Group
since its beginning. The future of this partnership will also reflect on our future
relations with Botswana. The EU – ACP framework has proven to be resilient
but has entered now its own midlife crisis, where many seem to have doubts
about its usefulness and some have even forgotten that it exists. Well, let me
recall that the alliance between the EU and the ACP in the final negotiation on
the recent deal to combat climate change was quite important in convincing
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others in joining the ambitious agreement. The value of our partnership should
therefore be beyond doubt.
Honourable Minister,
I promised to keep my remarks short. We are here to celebrate. We have many
reasons and several anniversaries to remember and to be proud of.
May I invite you to lift your glasses for a toast on his Excellency the President
of the Republic of Botswana, Lieutenant General, Seretese Khama Ian Khama.
I thank you…Ke a leboga.