Europe-Indonesia, building stronger relations
Europe-Indonesia, building stronger relations
Message from the Head of the European Commission Delegation
Every May we commemorate the end of the last great European war.
The European dream of unity emerged out of that horrific
experience. This year is particularly significant, since it is 60
years since the end of that war, and the dawn of the longest
period of peace Western Europe has ever known.
May 9 also marks the 55th anniversary of the declaration of
Robert Schuman, in which he unveiled his vision for a Europe
prospering through economic growth and political union. It paved
the way to our European Union today, and brought us that peace.
We in the EU have since decided to celebrate May 9 as "Europe
Day".
A year ago the EU welcomed no less than 10 new members: the
Czech Republic, Cyprus, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania,
Malta, Poland, Slovakia, and Slovenia. Enlargement was the
culmination of many years of hard work.
Contrary to many predictions, the expansion to 25 members did
not result in chaos nor cause the EU to implode. In fact it has
been an unprecedented success, and we are busy reaping the
rewards. The EU is now a Union of 455 million citizens, with the
world's greatest gross domestic product (GDP), and the largest
trading block. To its partners in trade, notably the developing
countries, it is offering new opportunities.
Last October the leaders of the 25 EU members adopted a new
Constitutional Treaty. It must now be ratified by all EU Member
State legislatures. When adopted, it will improve the EU's
ability to speak with a coherent voice in international affairs.
In a recent survey, an increasing majority of the world's
citizens perceive the EU as having a positive influence in world
affairs, and would like to see this influence increase. We now
must rise to the challenge.
EU foreign policy will continue to support the UN system as
the guarantor and arbiter of international law, peace and
security. As the world's largest donor of development and
humanitarian aid, the EU will continue to respond to the full
range of threats afflicting the most vulnerable in societies
across the world; such as hunger, disease, environmental
degradation and physical insecurity.
The tsunami of Dec. 26 2004 was the greatest natural calamity
in living memory, and still overshadows much else. It has also
provoked an unprecedented outpouring of sympathy and assistance
from within Indonesia and across the globe. We are all bound by
the responsibility to ensure that the survivors receive the help
and support they so sorely need, quickly and efficiently.
The European Union is a leading contributor to the
reconstruction effort and will continue to work closely with the
government, the Acehnese and the donor community to help overcome
the consequences of the catastrophe.
Perceptions of Indonesia in the European public, and indeed
our official relations received a big boost as a result of the
outcome of the electoral "marathon" of 2004. The EU accompanied
the elections with some 230 election observers, who visited every
part of the country during the entire nine month election period.
Seven months down the line, the hopes and the optimism of the
Indonesian electorate in their future is as high as ever -- in
good governance, equitable justice and an economic rebound that
will enable ever more families to leave behind poverty.
Increasingly these sentiments are shared also by Indonesia's
friends near and afar.
The executive organ of the EU, the European Commission, has
put in place a finely tuned set of program facilities, a
veritable "tool-box for partnership", which is accessible to
government agencies, businesses, universities and academics, the
media and non-governmental organizations. We shall work even
harder to support Indonesia's efforts to put on firm ground this
precious new spirit of optimism.
Jean Bretichi
Ambassador/ Head of Delegation
European Commission