On Europe Day, EU shares values with Pacific partners [1]
Saturday, May 9, 2015 - 10:16. Updated on Wednesday, July 15, 2015 - 13:57.
By Ambassador Andrew Jacobs
Today, 9 May, the European Union is celebrating Europe Day. On this day in 1950 French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman, one of the founding fathers of the EU, made the famous 'Schuman Declaration', in which he called on the nations of Europe to unite and render war on our continent impossible. Sixty-five years later, Robert Schuman's message of peace and unity is as relevant as ever.
Robert Schuman's appeal to overcome age-old divisions just five years after the Second World War laid the foundations of what has become the European Union. Over the years our Union has grown from six member countries to twenty-eight, with 500 million people, to become the world’s largest peace project. The dreams of our founding fathers have become a reality.
But peace and prosperity - based on a deep commitment to fundamental rights, democracy and the rule of law - cannot be taken for granted. They are a constant work in progress, things that must be nurtured and protected.
The spectre of war has returned to the European continent. When international law is broken and human dignity is treated with contempt, we call on partners around the world to stand with us to protect the fundamental values and interests that we all share. Ending war is about overcoming divisions and uniting former enemies. It is also about giving young generations a stake in their future. This is why we are united in fighting extremism and organised crime; tackling the negative impact of climate change and securing our energy future.
We work to raise global standards so that everybody can drink clear water and breathe clean air; enjoying the high standard of life and quality products we have in Europe. We also work with partners around the globe to invest in education and innovation to open a world of opportunities even to those who are born into poverty and conflict.
The European Union is a project for the future. So today we celebrate Europe Day to remember, but also to look ahead. We are keen to work with countries and people around the globe for a world where people, no matter who they are or where they live, are free to shape their existence and strive for their dreams.
Pacific countries
The European Union has a long standing relationship and friendship with Tonga and other Pacific countries. Our partnership is based on our shared values, on common concerns and on common aspirations. We are keen to work closely with our Pacific partners to tackle global challenges - some challenges are so big that only a global response will suffice to overcome them.
Allow me to give an example. People and countries in the Pacific today are facing a growing, in some cases existential, threat from climate change. Pacific countries cannot battle against climate change on their own, and the European Union stands side-by-side with them in their fight – both through close collaboration in international fora and by providing considerable financial support for mitigation and adaption programmes.
Climate change has long been a key strategic priority for its external action, and the European Union pursues an ambitious domestic low carbon policy. European Union member states have committed to reduce carbon emissions by 40% in 2030 in comparison with 1990 levels with a long-term goal of an 80-95% reduction by 2050.
Like Tonga and other Pacific partners, the European Union calls for ambitious and legally binding emissions targets for all countries to be adopted at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference of the Parties ("COP 21") in Paris in December 2015. The European Union takes pride in its strong partnership with Tonga, and the last year has been a pivotal one for our strengthened co-operation. In 2014, Tongans went to the polls in great numbers to elect a Parliament and a new Government was formed. Shortly thereafter, I was welcomed by Prime Minister 'Akilisi Pōhiva in Nukuʻalofa. The relationship between the European Union and Tonga is based on our shared values of democracy and the rule of law, on common concerns such as climate change and we both believe in resolving differences between peoples and nations through dialogue.
As the world's largest donor, the EU is pleased to provide support, along with other development partners, for Tonga's further development. The EU has allocated EUR 11.1 million through its next cycle of development support to improve energy efficiency and promote renewable energy, which will be vital for Tonga's sustainable and inclusive development.
We celebrate today not only Europe, but also Tonga and our close partnership, which will continue to strengthen.