May the EU-TT good relationship continue

Europe Day 2020 message from the EU ambassador to TT AAD BIESEBROEK

TODAY IS the fourth and final time that I celebrate Europe Day in TT. Under normal circumstances I would have delivered a speech at a reception dedicated to Europe Day, rendering homage to Robert Schuman whose declaration 70 years ago signalled the start of a collaboration between European states that culminated in the creation of the European Union as we know it today.

In that speech I would have stressed that the European project has led to 75 years of peace between the participating member states, longer than any other period in history.

I would have pointed at the economic gains that had been made by the EU member states over the past decades thanks to the ease of doing business and the removal of trade friction between members.

I would have dwelled on the importance of our relationship with our partners across the globe, including with TT, and I would have called for continued good relations in the future.

But we are not living under normal circumstances. The coronavirus, covid19, has shaken our world and forced governments in all corners of the world to take draconian measures to try and eliminate the spread of the virus.

We need to respect physical distancing and wear masks to protect ourselves and our fellow citizens. Many companies are closed or have had to reduce their activities. Employees are losing their jobs. Government revenues are shrinking and debts are rising. We cannot organise social events, we cannot celebrate the way we were used to and the celebratory tone of my speech as I had planned is no longer appropriate under the circumstances.

The essence, however, of Schuman’s declaration remains as valid now as it was then: World peace cannot be safeguarded without the making of creative efforts proportionate to the dangers which threaten it.

The pooling of productive resources and the merging of economic interests reduce the risk of conflict, contribute to solidarity among the participating states and raise the standard of living of the population.

It is precisely in times of crisis that we need to show solidarity and work together on fighting common challenges and achieving common goals. Covid19 is a crisis that runs deeper than any that we have seen for a very long time.

We need strong international co-operation and strong multilateral organisations that can help guide the way forward and promote interaction and solidarity between countries.

The global response pledging event against the coronavirus organised last Monday between the EU, Britain, Norway, Japan, Canada and Saudi Arabia, the World Bank and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to accelerate the development, manufacture and delivery of vaccines, tests and treatments to everyone, everywhere, at an affordable price, is an example of such collaboration.

Calls that international co-operation and multilateralism are things of the past and do not contribute to the well-being of nation states are disingenuous and dangerous.

It is also in this spirit that the EU will keep building on past achievements and looks forward to further deepening the relationship with TT through an in-depth political dialogue.

The new multilateral agreement between the African, Caribbean and Pacific States that is currently under negotiation and is expected to be concluded by the end of 2020 will provide a solid basis for the continued partnership.

In conclusion I wish to raise a virtual glass to the good health and well-being of Paula-May Weekes, president of the republic of TT; Dr Rowley, Prime Minister, and to the people of TT and to a continued good relationship between the EU and this beautiful country.