May 9 Marks "Europe Day"

May 9 marks "Europe Day", which is immensely significant in the history of the so-called Old Continent.

The day aims to commemorate the starting point of the continent's political and economic integration, and the peace achieved as a result of the decades-long collective effort.

The celebration goes back to 1950, when Robert Schuman, then-French minister of foreign affairs, delivered his landmark declaration proposing that France and Germany -- two nations with a long and bloody history -- join their coal and steel production, according to the EU.

The EU delegation and its Member States - in Egypt take this occasion to celebrate "Europe Day", by organizing a series of activities in Alexandria and Cairo, as well as online symposiums and programs like a video campaign titled “EU27 @COP27”.

According to a statement released today by the EU embassy in Egypt, EU Ambassador in Cairo, Christian Berger, said: "What does Europe Day tell us? It reminds us of the visionary ideas of European leaders like Robert Schuman to create an ever-deepening Union of sovereign European States to end a millennium of war and bloodshed among the European peoples."

"This plan, presented in a declaration on 9 May 1950, one day and five years after the end of a world war that had brought suffering and destruction on an unrivaled scale to Europe and far beyond, gave birth to an extraordinary peace project. For this achievement, the EU was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2012," the statement added.

Apart from European integration, May 9 is also celebrated in other parts of Europe for another reason: the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany in 1945.

It's also known as Victory Day, which is observed as a national holiday in a number of Eastern European countries like Russia, Belarus, Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan.