Minister of European Integration Jadranka Joksimović has stated today that Serbia marks 9 May, Europe Day, during an ongoing state of declared pandemic caused by COVID-19 across the entire planet, which is testing resilience, solidarity and the possibility of joint action of citizens, nation states and governments, including Serbia, all EU member states and the EU as a whole.
She has stated that, 70 years ago, proposing the formation of the European Coal and Steel Community, one of the creators and implementers of the idea of European integration – French Minister of Foreign Affairs Robert Schuman spoke precisely about European solidarity as a fundamental value and a driving idea of the new union:
“Europe will not be made all at once, or according to a single plan. It will be built through concrete achievements which first create a de facto solidarity”, said Schuman.
Joksimović has said that today’s occasion marks the success of the creation of the EU – during a crisis and emerging from crisis – and its decade-long and ongoing survival against the repeating crises, constant new responses to and victories against crises that represent a benchmark for the European Union creation enterprise and a pledge for its survival.“This is why Serbia wants to be part of such a united Europe, united in diversity, flexible in forming joint responses, equally economically developed, resilient to various crises owing to joint action, solidary and responsible in its entirety and in all its individual parts,” stated the Minister
She has emphasised that, in the following decades, the European Union will base the overall development of the continent on solidarity, sustainable development, environmental protection, digital economy, connectivity and mutual recognition and respect.“We should apply the lessons we learned from the latest crisis so as to build a more resilient and stronger community, both for the member states and for those that are yet to join, for all European citizens”, stressed the Minister.
“Working on creating a common future, on Serbia’s membership in the European Union, we are learning and using all available leverages of European policies to improve the lives of our citizens,” stated Joksimović.
“I would like to wish a happy Europe Day to all of us European citizens,” said the Minister.
Source: Tanjug
