After a very busy day yesterday, I ended up missing the Europe Day celebrations at the residence of Ambassador Paola Amadei, who heads the Delegation of the European Union (EU) to Jamaica. Europe Day is actually “Schuman Day” – May 9, 1950 – when a new direction, a vision for a peaceful, united Europe was put forward. This was not an idealistic “pie in the sky,” but a practical proposal for rebuilding a continent torn apart by two devastating wars. A rescue plan, if you will.
My thoughts turned to the Europe question while watching the UK general elections last night. It is true to say that many Britons feel ambivalent toward the EU, and the rise in popularity of the UK Independence Party is an indicator. The Conservative Party, which was re-elected quite decisively this week, has committed to holding a referendum on whether the UK should stay in Europe or not by the end of 2017. Based on the new configuration of the UK Parliament (with the pro-Europe Scottish National Party set to play a significant part) the signs are that the UK will remain a part of Europe. But the people will have the last word, and it may all come down to: “It’s the economy, stupid.”
I watched today’s commemoration of the 70th Anniversary of Victory in Europe Day (VE Day) at the Cenotaph in London, with all three party leaders present (two performing their duties for the last time). Similar ceremonies across Europe (including in Paris, with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry in attendance) reminded me of Senator George McGovern’s wry comment: “I’m fed up to the ears with old men dreaming up wars for young men to die in.” He was talking about the Vietnam War. But I am hoping mankind won’t think up any more wars.
Yes, the EU may have its weaknesses; it faces many challenges. But frankly, I cannot imagine where Europe (and the world) would be today without the EU. As Ambassador Amadei noted in her speech last night, it is a bastion of democracy, human rights – and peace – in a troubled world.
The EU relationship with Jamaica is just forty years old; but, as the saying goes, life begins at forty. Here is the text of Ambassador Amadei’s remarks.
ADDRESS BY
THE HEAD OF DELEGATION OF THE EUROPEAN UNION TO JAMAICA
AMBASSADOR PAOLA AMADEI
ON THE OCCASION OF THE SCHUMAN DAY CELEBRATIONS
MAY 7, 2015
Distinguished guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, Dear friends.
It is a great pleasure to welcome you to our celebration of Europe Day.
On the 9th of May, sixty five years ago, as an entire continent emerged from the ravages of the Second World War, the then French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman delivered a speech which laid the foundations for the most successful peace project of our time. Schuman introduced his proposal with these fateful words: ‘World peace cannot be safeguarded without the making of creative efforts proportionate to the dangers which threaten it.’
It is surely not an exaggeration to state that Schuman’s call to bold political action remains as relevant today as it was when it was first uttered. The events of the past few months alone should be evidence enough that no state acting unilaterally can solve challenges of the complexity that face the world today. Through the lens of courageous journalists reporting from the frontlines, we have witnessed the relentless bombing of Aleppo, the killing of University students in Kenya, and the kidnapping of young girls in Nigeria, where the simple act of going to school has become an act of bravery. Europe itself has not been spared from tragedy this year. The daily headlines remind us that the Mediterranean Sea has become a graveyard for thousands fleeing violence and conflict, while the violation of Ukraine’s territorial integrity brought the spectre of war back to Europe’s doorstep. And the shootings in Paris, Brussels and Copenhagen have reminded us that, like the rest of the world, we too are vulnerable to the threats of extremism, terrorism and violence.
Against this backdrop, we cannot afford to take the European Union’s founding values of respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms, democracy and the rule of law for granted. As the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini, has stated: ‘When international law is broken and human dignity is treated with contempt, we have a responsibility to stand up and to protect the fundamental values and interests that we share with peoples around the world.’ The need for a strong, cohesive European Union is as important as ever, as is the need to cooperate closely with countries which share the same values and interests we hold dear.
Indeed, Jamaica and the Caribbean countries have proven to be indispensable allies in the face of a host of pressing global challenges, including climate change, security, and the fight against organised crime. These shared values will take centre stage next month in Europe’s political capital, Brussels, where the EU-CELAC Summit will consolidate the relationship between two of the world’s most progressive regions. We also hope we can count on all our Caribbean partners in New York next September, when the international community will decide upon the Post-2015 Development Agenda, as well as in Paris next December, when the United Nations Climate Change Conference will provide us with a unique opportunity to agree upon a legally binding global climate change agreement. I have no doubt whatsoever that Jamaica and the EU will work together to ensure the best possible outcomes in both processes, a silver lining to a year that has been blighted by so many tragedies.
Allow me to remind you that our Europe Day celebration has a special significance this year, because we are also celebrating the fortieth year of our partnership with Jamaica. Indeed, it has now been forty years since the EU Delegation opened its doors here in Kingston after the signing of the Lomé Convention between the European Union and the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States. The pictures you will have seen as soon as you entered depict just one of the many projects the EU is working on here in Jamaica, albeit the largest. The Accompanying Measures for Sugar Protocol Countries Programme, which has supported the modernisation of Jamaica’s sugar industry with over J$ 18 billion worth of assistance, is but one example of how the European Union is transforming lives on the island. The European Union remains Jamaica’s largest provider of grant assistance, with a new programme for 2014 to 2020 addressing, in full partnership with the Government of Jamaica, three crucial challenges for the island: justice, the environment and climate change, and public finance management. Furthermore, our support to civil society remains a critical part of our mission here in Jamaica, with a particular focus on the most vulnerable and marginalised groups in the country.
On the occasion of Europe Day, I would like to take the opportunity to highlight that in the past few years, both Europe and Jamaica have had to usher in a number of difficult economic and administrative reforms. On both sides of the Atlantic, our citizens have been called upon to make considerable sacrifices for the sake of economic stability. Despite these challenges, the European Union and its Member States have retained their position as the world’s largest development donor, a commitment that still retains the generous support of Europe’s citizens. Meanwhile, the unwavering commitment of the citizens and government of Jamaica to staying the course agreed with the IMF has certainly not gone unnoticed in Europe.
Dear guests, this has been another year in which our friendship has been strengthened, as we continue to face challenges and opportunities together. This fortieth year of the EU Delegation’s presence here in Jamaica is an occasion for us to not only look back on the achievements of the past with pride, but to face the future with renewed enthusiasm. If it is true, as they say, that ‘life begins at forty’, then the best is yet to come.
Thank you.
Petchary's Blog 
“Despite these challenges, the European Union and its Member States have retained their position as the world’s largest development donor, a commitment that still retains the generous support of Europe’s citizens….” {excerpt from EU Ambassador’s speech}. Still in the handout mode I see. Europe needs to talk reparation, not donations!
LikeLike
“The EU it is a bastion of democracy, human rights – and peace – in a troubled world.” Really???
LikeLike
Yes, really. And as for reparations, I personally believe that is a lost cause, a waste of time and will never happen. Without some of the “donations” you refer to, I believe Jamaica’s agricultural sector, for example, would be in complete shambles! But you have your views, and I have mine.
LikeLike