Michalis Rokas: Europe Day celebrations

Photo / AP

Opinion

Europe Day - the anniversary of the Schuman Declaration - is a wonderful occasion to celebrate how in the EU we have overcome age old differences to shape a common future. On 9 May 1950 Robert Schuman called for unification of Europe to make war on the continent impossible and spread peace and prosperity globally.

Recent events in Ukraine show that we cannot take these values for granted. In today's Europe, we see that democracy is a constant work in progress; we share a responsibility to safeguard and nurture it. We will stand by those that go to the streets to call for it. Our principles guide our foreign policy across the globe.

Even in the Pacific, far from European shores, we are working to ensure democratic values of free & fair elections, transparency and good governance are promoted. We are working with our Pacific partners to achieve the MDGs. We stand ready to support the return of democracy in Fiji.

And when we engage, our actions make a difference. European citizens know that in the face of big problems such as fragile states, pandemics, energy security, climate change and migration, we are more effective together.

Together with New Zealand, we are providing better - reliable, renewable and affordable - electricity across the Pacific through the EU-New Zealand Energy Partnership for the Pacific.

The European Union is the single largest economy in the world today. Its combined merchandise and service trade is NZ$7.21 trillion, substantially ahead of the US and China. We understand New Zealand's long-standing aspiration to have an FTA with us; given the EU's market size, it is a natural ambition. So when EU Council President Van Rompuy and European Commission President Barroso met PM Key in March this year, they agreed to reflect on options to progress the trade and economic relationship, including the parameters for the possible opening of negotiations to further liberalise trade and investment between the EU and New Zealand.

The EU also has an important role to play in bringing together partners around the world to achieve lasting peace and stability. The EU's High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy, Catherine Ashton, leads the talks between the EU 3+3 (Germany, France and the United Kingdom as well as US, China and Russia) with Iran. They resulted in an interim agreement on Iran's nuclear programme last November - a crucial step towards making this world a safer and more secure place.

In crises around the world, the EU adopts a comprehensive approach that combines all the tools at our disposal: diplomatic, developmental, military and economic. This allows us to address not just the symptoms, but also the causes of the problems we face.

Take the Horn of Africa, where New Zealand is about to join our naval mission, ATALANTA. Thanks to a combination of ATALANTA, political dialogue with the government of Somalia and targeted development aid and humanitarian assistance, piracy has been reduced by 95 percent. Today the young boys that manned pirate ships go to school and learn the skills that will help them lead their country towards a more prosperous future.

2014 is a special year for the EU. Ten years ago ten new members joined our Union. The 2004 enlargement was a crucial step towards overcoming decades of division on our continent. Since then three new members have joined our club; a testament to the continuing attraction of closer ties to the EU.

This year is also special for European citizens. From 22-25 May voters will go to the polls to cast their ballot in the elections to the next European Parliament. This means citizens will have a clear say in what should be the EU's priorities for the next five years.

Sixty four years ago Robert Schuman took a decisive step towards what we know as the European Union (EU) today. Today Europe Day is an opportunity for all of us: to commemorate past achievements, but also to look ahead at how we can shape our European future together and promote peace and prosperity at home and in the world.