EUROPEAN Union (EU) Ambassador to Guyana Fernando Ponz Canto has hailed the unity and development among European nations around the world in observance of Europe Day.

Europe Day is observed annually on May 9 and celebrates peace and unity in Europe. It marks the anniversary of the historic ‘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.

His vision was to create a European institution that would pool and manage coal and steel production. A treaty creating such a body was signed just under a year later. Schuman’s proposal is considered to be the beginning of what is now the European Union.

”On Europe Day it is time to recall our core values and the unity in our foundation, 70 years ago. While the current circumstances due to the COVID-19 pandemic don’t call for celebrations, we have all the reasons to be proud of the way we are overcoming a major crisis by standing united, as Europeans,” Ambassador Canto stated.

He added: “And even though this year we are unable to open our doors, we can still mark the day, together in distance, as after 70 years Schuman’s words apply more than ever: the EU is built on solidarity.”