ON Monday, the Delegation of the European Union (EU) to Malaysia celebrated Europe Day through a show of colours. The display was held at Pintasan Saloma while kickstarting the European Year of Youth for 2022.
The EU Delegation chose the Saloma Bridge to mark this year’s Europe Day as it represents the deep bond shared by Malaysia and the EU. The strong bilateral relations have made Malaysia the EU’s second-largest trade partner in Southeast Asia. The EU is Malaysia’s fifth-largest trading partner.
The EU Ambassador to Malaysia, His Excellency Michalis Rokas, said: “This event signifies the continuous partnership between the European Union and Malaysia, based on shared values and principles such as the rules-based international order, effective and sustainable multilateralism, and free and fair trade.
"In this sense, Europe Day is an excellent opportunity to reflect on new areas of cooperation which will be beneficial to Malaysians and Europeans alike.”
The theme for this year, “European Year of Youth”, intends to address the issues that most affect them such as equality, inclusivity, and sustainability. The aim is to encourage and work together with youths to become active citizens and actors of positive change.
“With the ‘European Year of Youth’, we want to create new pathways and opportunities for young people. The youth is our future.
"There is no better time to reiterate the importance of EU and Malaysia’s partnership to work with youth to encourage their participation in democratic life, promote critical thinking and taking initiatives, empower women and girls’ participation in civic engagement, and fight together against climate change with sustainable solutions, where the future of youths is especially affected,” Rokas added.
To celebrate Europe Day and commemorate the longstanding relationship between Malaysia and the EU, Ambassadors and representatives of the EU and its Member States, including H.E. Michalis Rokas, were present at the Saloma Bridge light display of the iconic circle of 12 stars on a blue background of the EU flag.
This signifies the celebration of peace and unity in Europe since 1950 and demonstrates the EU as a trusted and strong partner to Malaysia in various aspects of sustainability, environment, security, and education.
The Ukrainian flag was also featured on the Saloma Bridge as a symbol of the EU’s solidarity with its people amid the current Russian aggression against Ukraine. This sentiment echoes the spirit of the Schuman Declaration made on 9 May 1950, leading to the EU as a peace project.
The Ambassador of Ukraine to Malaysia, H.E. Olexander Nechytaylo, joined the ceremony at Saloma Bridge.
This year marks the 72nd anniversary of the 'Schuman Declaration'. The declaration traces back to May 9, 1950, in Paris, when the French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman called on European nations to unite in the wake of the devastation of the Second World War.
Schuman’s visionary idea set the wheels of European integration in motion. It led to the birth of the European Union (EU) as we know it today: a force for peace, unity, and solidarity in Europe and beyond.
On May 9, Europeans celebrate this date as 'Europe Day'. Every year in May, the EU institutions in Europe and its offices worldwide organise a variety of activities for all ages to celebrate Europe Day.
For more information, visit Europe Day or the European Year of Youth 2022. – The Vibes, May 11, 2022
