Message from the European Commission Representation

Today, on Europe Day, it gives me great pleasure to introduce this special supplement to mark the 48th anniversary of the Schuman Declaration, the speech which established the beginning of a cooperation between European countries that has developed into what we now know as the European Union.

In 1950, the then French foreign minister, Robert Schuman, made a declaration calling for European countries to establish joint management of their steel and coal industry. This declaration came in the aftermath of World War II, when millions of lives had been lost in Europe in six long years of conflict. It was hoped that nations which shared such important resources, the very sectors which were at that time the basis of military power, could never again go to war with one another.

Thus, the very beginning of European integration was founded on the basis of peace and solidarity through economic and social cooperation between European member states. Fundamental values which have been accepted by each country as Europe has grown from a grouping of six countries in the Coal and Steel Community, to a 15-member European Union embracing over 370 million people living in a Single Market, where goods, services and capital can move freely and citizens have the right to live and work anywhere in the European Union while remaining nationals of their country.

Europe has certainly come a long way since 1950 but its development is by no means complete since further challenges lie ahead. Most significant is that in less than 250 days, member states will, for the first time, be embracing a single currency. Another challenge is when the European Union embarks on further enlargement. The inclusion of the central and east European countries will be the European Union's fifth enlargement.

And yet, within this context of development over the coming years, the EU will not become inward looking. On the contrary, Europe will continue to build on the important ties it has established with partners around the world and this, of course, includes Asia.

Europe is not the only region to face challenges in the coming years. We are all aware of the difficulties facing many Asian countries following the economic crisis of the past 10 months. Moreover, Europe recognizes that in today's world economy we are interdependent and, therefore, that the economic crisis concerns the EU as well as Asia. Thus, our regions shall work together in difficult times as well as in times of prosperity.

The EU-ASEAN Industrialists Roundtable, which took place last December in Jakarta, provided an early and valuable demonstration of solidarity and a useful contribution to the development of the economic and regulatory framework which will boost growth and help overcome the crisis.

At the second Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) held in London last month, the member states of the European Union expressed their conviction that, through the appropriate steps, Asia will certainly regain the growth and achievements which are more usually associated with this dynamic region. Moreover, Europe pledged support to Asia through specific Asia-Europe cooperation projects as well as through global programs, for example that of the IMF, to which the EU is the major donor.

Solidarity has always been a central concept for the European Union, not only among member states but also with our partners around the world. And this year, on Europe Day, we once again stress our support and commitment as the European Union looks to the future with optimism for an ongoing and active cooperation with Indonesia, ASEAN and the whole Asian region.

Ambassador Klauspeter Schmallenbach, Head of Representation.