The 2018 Europe Day celebrations in Myanmar started on May 8 with a reception in Nay Pyi Taw for government officials, parliamentarians, civil society, local media, the diplomatic corps and partners and friends of Europe, hosted by the EU Ambassador. Ambassador Kristian Schmidt used the opportunity to announce the recent decision of EU member states to directly contribute with €221 million to the Myanmar budget to expand quality education across the country and support the reform of Myanmar’s education sector. In his welcome speech, EU Ambassador Kristian Schmidt announced a recent decision of EU member states to directly transfer €221 million (356 billion MMK) to the Myanmar national treasury to support the reform of the education sector and expand access to quality education across the country. “We will channel this grant directly to the Ministry of Education, a sign of our partnership and trust, and that we share your government’s ambition to dramatically improve Myanmar’s education outcomes. We think education is the best possible investment in your country’s democratic future, “said Ambassador Schmidt.
Union Minister Thaung Tun underlined the longstanding partnership between the European Union and Myanmar. “It has been more than four decades since Myanmar and the EU first established diplomatic relations. Today, the EU is one of Myanmar’s most important partners, supporting many development programs that are crucial for ensuring that democracy takes firm root in Myanmar.”
Europe Day celebrated every year on May 9 and it marks the anniversary of the historical “Schuman declaration” in 1950 when Robert Schuman, the French foreign minister, in a speech in Paris set out his idea for a new form of political cooperation in Europe, which would make war between Europe’s nations unthinkable. His proposal to create a European institution that would pool and manage coal and steel production is considered the beginning of what is now the European Union.
