MAY 8

On 9th May, we shall celebrate "Europe Day". The National Day of the European Union marks the adoption of the Schuman Declaration, which, in 1950, laid the foundations of what would later become the European Union.

"Europe Day" is a celebration of the European Union as a peace project, based on universal values and fully anchored in the rules-based international order, which was created on the ruins of the Second World War.

The European Union has now become one of the largest economies in the world, together with the US and China.

It has also become a global political and economic player and a staunch supporter of the multilateral system, with the United Nations at its core.

For example, the European Union (EU) and the United Nations (UN) cooperate closely in crisis management around the world. In 2003, when the EU deployed its first civilian and military operations, the two organisations issued a Joint Declaration on EU- UN Cooperation in Crisis Management.

Since then, they have strengthened their strategic partnership. Most recently, in December 2021, the EU and UN renewed the priorities for cooperation on peace operations and crisis management for 2022-2024.

The EU Strategic Compass adopted in March 2022 further calls for a reinforced EU-UN strategic partnership on the basis of the new set of priorities.

Since 2003, the European Union has undertaken about thirty overseas missions and operations, drawing on civilian and military capabilities, in several countries across three continents (Europe, Africa and Asia), as part of its Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP).

The range of tasks is set out in the EU Treaties, ranging from conflict prevention and peace-keeping, crisis management, joint disarmament operations, and post-conflict stabilisation tasks.

The European Union has also recently launched "Global Gateway" as a positive EU investment offer to narrow the global investment gap worldwide.

"Global Gateway" aims to fulfil the commitment of the G7 leaders from June 2021 to launch a values-driven, high-standard and transparent infrastructure partnership to meet global infrastructure development needs.

The Global Gateway is fully aligned with the UN's Agenda 2030 and its Sustainable Development Goals, as well as the Paris Agreement.

The European model of trusted connectivity in partner countries is longterm and in line with EU's interests and values: rule of law, human rights and international norms and standards. "Global Gateway" is about smart, clean and secure investments in quality infrastructure connecting people, goods and services around the world in a sustainable way In Nepal, the Global Gateway flagship promotes Green recovery through investments in education, nutrition, water and sanitation and renewable energy.

This year, we also celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

That is why, on "Europe Day", the European Union wants to reiterate its support to Multilateralism and the three pillars of the United Nations (Human rights, Peace & Security and Development) with a focus on trade and business as a driver of sustainable development.

Indeed, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is closely tied to sustainable development. The 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provide the global community with a roadmap towards an inclusive development that is strongly anchored in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

In her 2021 State of the Union Address to the European Parliament, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, declared "doing business around the world, global trade – all that is good and necessary. But this can never be done at the expense of people's dignity and freedom... Human rights are not for sale – at any price."

That is the reason why, this year, the EU Delegation is also organising several events around Europe Day and the entire week beginning 8 May, which has been labelled "Nepal-Europe Week".

A "Business Forum" will be organised during that week, on 8th and 9th May, as well as a "Business & Human Rights" roundtable, on 10th May, which will hopefully coincide with the launch of Nepal "Business & Human Rights National Action Plan", and a lecture at Kathmandu School of Law on the "Decent Work Agenda".

Throughout Nepal-Europe Week, the main objective will be to disseminate information on what the European Union does to assist Nepal in achieving a green, resilient and inclusive development, as well as the role of TEAM EU- ROPE in assisting Nepal to achieve its target of graduating from Least Developed Countries (LDC) status by 2026.

On this special day for the European Union, we remain engaged to further strengthen our relations so that the EU and Nepal continue to grow stronger together.

The writer is European Union Ambassador to Nepal

This year, the EU Delegation is also organising several events around Europe Day and the entire week beginning 8 May, which has been labelled "Nepal-Europe Week"

A version of this article appears in the print on May 8, 2023, of The Himalayan Times.