Speech by EU Ambassador Angelina Eichhorst

Speech by EU Ambassador to Egypt Angelina Eichhorst :-

Deputy Prime Minister Professor Khaled Abdel Ghaffar – Excellencies

Let me first thank our friends of music, the fantastic Amro Salah Jazz Quartet and solist Noha Fekry

You are one of a kind

Your voices for Biladi ‘My homeland’ composed by Sayed Darwish - and for all who play and sing Beethoven’s ‘Ode a la Joie’ :

You are the centre of us marking 9 May, Europe Day, the centre of hope and peace.

To our wonderful guests, especially our European citizens, I say :

Your vast presence tonight is a testament to the authenticity and depth of our friendship.

Egypt and the European Union.

Eighty years ago the second world war ended.

World War II was the deadliest conflict in history. An estimated total of 70–85 million military and civilians lost their lives.

Today, war is still on our continent

and war is part of the daily lives of many children, women and men in this region.

We work hard to be united to end these wars, to end the violence. We should work harder. We work hard to join hands on a common vision for peace and prosperity.

And we know, more hands need to join.

75 years ago, in 1950, Robert Schuman proposed the establishment of the European Coal and Steel Community.

And so began the European Project – THE GREATEST POLITICAL PROJECT IN HISTORY – It began not with grand speeches but with practical steps - you see here an image of men only, thankfully a lot has changed. Today, the EU is proud to have strong women in leadership – from presidents to parliamentarians to entrepreneurs

In 1957, six countries came together to start the European Community

Since then, seven enlargement waves followed

…in 1973… 1981… 1986… 1995… 2004… 2007… 2013…

And 10 or more partners are lined up to join

Today we are a Union of 450 million people – in an incredible mix of cultures, languages and dreams.

With a GDP of 25 trillion euros. With a strong community.

And in that community, Egypt has a very special place!

We share a long history.

Look at the columns in Egyptian temples

the street names in downtown Alexandria, the many artists and scientists in ateliers, institutes and universities across our continents

We are interwoven.

Today, we celebrate not only the past but the bright, dynamic partnership we share in the present.

Our students study together.

We are building green energy in the desert, supporting young Egyptian entrepreneurs

We provide security and prosperity

We build bridges between people, basing our work on joy, curiosity, and trust.

So tonight, let us celebrate an ancient friendship with modern ambitions. Here is to shared stories, shared challenges, and shared laughter.

Egypt is a close friend and partner.

May the next chapter of this partnership be our best one yet.

I want to thank my EU Delegation colleagues for their extraordinary work, colleagues from the European Investment Bank, who contribute to this evening’s event, colleagues from our European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Office and our EU to Sudan team.

Thank you all for being here this evening.