A delegation of EUBAM Rafah including its Head of Mission, Gerhard Schlaudraff, participated on Saturday in Brussels in the celebrations of Europe Day which was organised by the European External Action Service.
The one-day event, which has attracted thousands of guests, was a chance for members of the public to learn more about the EU and its work, including the work all nine EU Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) missions. EUBAM Rafah stood in a joint booth with the other EU CSDP Mission in the area, EUPOL COPPS. The Mission displayed promotional material and provided information to the public and European officials illustrating their most recent achievements.
The Mission also participated on 8 May in Ramallah in the celebrations of Europe Day which was organised by the Office of the European Union Representative. The one-day event, which also included recreational activities for children, has attracted hundreds of guests. Head of the Office of EU Representative in Jerusalem John Gatt- Rutter and Palestinian Prime Minister Rami al-Hamdallah visited the open-air fair including the stand of the Mission.
Europe Day (9 May) celebrates peace and unity in Europe. The date marks the anniversary of the historical 'Schuman declaration'. At a speech in Paris in 1950, the French foreign minister, Robert Schuman, set out his idea for a new form of political cooperation in Europe, which would make war between Europe’s nations unthinkable. Each year thousands of people take part in visits, debates, concerts and other events to mark the day and raise awareness about the EU.
