Despite Challenges, European Union Remains Strong on 60th Anniversary
Jakarta. Member states of the European Union will celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome, the international agreement that created the European Economic Community, on Saturday (25/03) as the union contemplates its future.
The anniversary of the treaty comes at a time of uncertainty in the global political arena, as the United Kingdom is set to leave the EU and upcoming elections in France and Germany might steer those countries to more protectionist polices.
Despite challenges, however, Italian Ambassador to Indonesia Vittorio Sandalli said he believes that the European Union's best days are ahead of it.
"There have been many doubts and challenges recently, but in the long run there is no alternative for European countries but to unite," Sandalli said during a seminar at the Italian Cultural Institute in Central Jakarta on Tuesday (21/03).
Citing both internal and external challenges, Charge d'Affaires of the EU Delegation to Indonesia and Brunei Charles-Michel Geurts expressed the need to reflect on the union's past to determine its future.
"We are facing a lot of crises, all at the same time, and it is the biggest task that we have ever had to confront," Geurts said.
He added that the union "must push cooperation together" and that "solidarity is key to fight radicalism and terrorism," citing few of the many issues that the continent must tackle.
While recent events in Europe have left many observers skeptical of the future of the union's mission, Geurts said there's no reason to think it will disintegrate anytime soon.
"The EU remains the number one trading partner for developing countries, the largest source of investment in the world. I do not believe the EU is in decline," Geurst said.
He also said that Indonesia and the EU should uphold shared values of unity in diversity, as reflected in the union's motto and in Indonesia's Bhineka Tunggal Ika.
Tags: Keywords: