Europe Day is a day to celebrate our unity, diversity and achievements. On 9 May 1950 - 74 years ago - the Schuman Declaration laid the foundations for building peace, unity and prosperity on a continent that had been ravaged by war and antagonism between nations. 

In Geneva, Europe Day was marked with a reception at the prestigious Bâtiment des Forces Motrices (BFM), an old power plant building turned into a cultural center. The over 700 guests of International Geneva had the opportunity to taste culinary specialities of the 27 Member States of the European Union.

The reception was hosted jointly with the Belgian Presidency of the Council of the EU.

In her opening remarks, EU Ambassador Lotte Knudsen, Head of the EU Delegation to the United Nations in Geneva, reminded of the successful EU enlargement:

"20 years ago, on 1 May 2004, 10 new EU Member States joined our Union.  In so many ways, Europe has made them stronger. But they have made Europe stronger, too.  Since then, 3 more countries have joined our Union. And our friends in the Western Balkans are moving closer to us. We took the historic decision to launch negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova, while the people of Georgia make no secret of their European dreams." Yet, she also reminded that Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine have shown how peace and security in Europe cannot be taken for granted, neither here nor anywhere else in the world, and how we must work to preserve, promote, and defend it. 

That is what the UN, the EU and other international organisations are all about: working through disagreements, finding common ground, and making progress together. Effective multilateralism is precisely what we need today, more than ever. There is no other way for countries or regions to tackle borderless challenges, such as the climate crisis, the global food security crisis, or global pandemics. Working separately, countries, large or small, will not give the world the stability it needs, nor deliver solutions to global problems. | Ambassador Lotte Knudsen, Head of the EU Delegation to the UN in Geneva

Europeans are active all over the world alleviating suffering and working for peace. We are providing humanitarian assistance wherever needed and work with our global partners on stability, security and development. We are also building global partnerships to fight climate change. Those are existential issues for humanity, demanding sustainable solutions, and global cooperation at a time where the world becomes more confrontational. The European Union remains a steadfast advocate for a fair and effective multilateral system, ready to shape a just and fair future for all.

In our increasingly interconnected world, the challenges we face transcend national borders, and the European Union, representing the collective will of our Member States, has to play a role in shaping those challenges. And of course one of our most important tasks is to support the work of the multilateral institutions that are based here in Geneva. | Ambassador João Aguiar Machado, Head of the EU Mission to the WTO

74 years after the Schuman Declaration, the message that former enemies can make peace and build a better future is no less relevant.

Europe stands for peace, human rights and solidarity. At home, and in the world.

Because we in the EU are constantly trying to find the common denominator, it is only natural that we are strong supporters and engaged actors of multilateralism. Because we know the importance of building bridges, you can always count on the EU for that. | Ambassador Marc Pecsteen de Buytswerve, Permanent Representative of Belgium to the UN in Geneva

European Union to Geneva

To mark this special day, the EU flag flew next to the Geneva and Swiss flag on Geneva's largest bridge.

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EU Delegation