European Union to observe 'Europe Month 2005' in RI

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

From May 1 through until June 1, the European Union (EU) -- the world's richest regional organization -- and its 25 member countries will organize a series of events in Indonesia, under the banner of "Europe Month 2005" to mark Europe Day.

The Delegation of the European Commission (EC) to Indonesia said on Friday that it will be organizing several events in Indonesia throughout May to increase awareness of the EU. They would aim to explain why and how the EU is relevant to Indonesia and address misperceptions of the EU and its policies.

The EC is the executive arm of the EU, the world's largest economic area.

The activities will kick off in Yogyakarta, the cradle of Javanese civilization, with a seminar on the EU on Monday. There will be an exhibition on European education and culture on Tuesday and Wednesday in the same town.

Then the focus will then move to Jakarta, where the EC is organizing seminars on EU (May 10), exporting to the EU (May 11), European infrastructure forum (May 12) and the European Review (June 1). The EC delegation will host a reception on May 9 to mark the Europe Day. There will be a seminar on the EU in Surabaya, East Java, on May 16.

"The EC will also organize a European food festival with the cooperation of the Jakarta International Hotel Association from May 9-May 16 in Jakarta," the Delegation of the EC to Indonesia said in a statement sent to The Jakarta Post on Friday.

The private TV station Indosiar will broadcast a quiz show on Europe Day on May 9.

EU member countries like France, Poland, Czech Republic, Italy and Germany are also organizing music concerts, arts exhibitions and film festivals as part of "Europe Month 2005".

The month of May is very important for 475 million Europeans living in 25 countries. Fifty-five years ago, on May 9, 1950, the then French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman unveiled his plan to create a supranational European institution.

The plan, known as the "Schuman Declaration", lead to the birth of world's most powerful regional organization, the EU.

Last year, the EC organized a "Europe Week" in Jakarta with the similar themes and events. This time around, however, the new Ambassador/Head of EC Delegation Jean Breteche decided to organize Europe Month 2005 to take place in Jakarta, Yogyakarta and Surabaya.