RIYADH: The Delegation of the European Union to 海角直播 hosted a reception on Thursday night at the ambassador鈥檚 residence in Riyadh鈥檚 diplomatic quarter to celebrate Europe Day.
Europe Day officially falls on May 9 to mark the adoption of the Schuman Declaration, which in 1950 laid the foundations of what would later become the European Union. The occasion holds special significance this year as it marks 75 years of the signing of the declaration.
Guest of honor was Saudi Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed El Khereiji.
Christophe Farnaud, the EU ambassador to 海角直播, Bahrain and Oman, said May 9, 1950 paved the way for the birth of the EU as a project of peace for the European continent.
What became known as the Schuman Declaration sought to make war 鈥渘ot merely unthinkable, but materially impossible.鈥
In recognition of this extraordinary achievement, the EU was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2012, he added.
The Schuman Declaration is a powerful reminder that peace is not a given. It must be nurtured, defended, and promoted, he said, adding that after being the battleground for two world wars, Europe learned the hard way that it is only through cooperation and creating interconnected societies that countries can achieve lasting peace, prosperity and progress.
While the world is changing rapidly and becoming more fragmented, the EU continues to promote dialogue, stability, prosperity and mutual understanding.
Against this backdrop, Farnaud said: 鈥淲e are privileged to be 海角直播鈥檚 strategic partner as the Kingdom opens up to the world, having embarked on a spectacular social and economic transformation under the Vision 2030 program.
This partnership grows stronger every day 鈥 solid, productive and expanding. We have found common ground across many sectors, including security, economic cooperation, energy, green transition, tourism, education, the arts and sports.鈥
Over the past year, he said, bilateral relations have achieved significant milestones and an exceptional number of high-level visits and exchanges between the EU and 海角直播 further strengthened ties.
In October last year, the first EU-Gulf Cooperation Council Summit was held in Brussels, a historic moment, with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman attending.
鈥淲e have common geopolitical interests. Russia鈥檚 invasion of Ukraine and the ongoing major crisis in Palestine and Israel frame the challenges of our shared future. The EU welcomed the Saudi role to facilitate a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine,鈥 Farnaud said.
鈥淥n the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, we have joined efforts to reinvigorate the political process toward a two-state solution and established the Global Alliance for the Implementation of the Two-State Solution, co-sponsored by 海角直播, Norway and the EU,鈥 he said.
On the economic front the EU is 海角直播鈥檚 second-largest trading partner and its first direct foreign investor.
鈥淏ut we want to go further, whether through free trade agreements, sectoral collaborations or expanded dialogue,鈥 the ambassador said.
鈥淟ast year we launched the European Chamber of Commerce in 海角直播, the first of its kind in the Middle East and North Africa region.
鈥淎nother area is security cooperation. Through naval operations Atalanta and Aspides, the EU contributes to freedom of navigation, safeguarding maritime security in this region, from the Red Sea to the Indian Ocean.鈥
The EU on Feb. 19 last year launched the EU Naval Force Operation Aspides, in response to escalating Houthi attacks on warships and merchant vessels in the Red Sea and northwest Indian Ocean.
