European Union Ambassador to Laos, Mr Mark Gallagher, speaks at the Europe Day reception in Vientiane.

European Union celebrates 76 years of peace and solidarity on Europe Day

The European Union Delegation to the Lao People’s Democratic Republic joined forces with EU Member States to celebrate Europe Day on May 7. Europe Day itself falls on May 9.
That date marks the 76th anniversary of the historic “Schuman Declaration”, an historic proposal made by Robert Schuman, then French Foreign Minister, that laid out the foundation of European cooperation.
Schuman’s proposal is considered to be the beginning of what is now the European Union and was made just five years after the end of the Second World War, in 1950.
Robert Schuman’s extraordinary declaration was based on two core principles: peace and solidarity. He, and others of his generation in France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands, shared a vision of a united Europe that would prevent future conflict between European countries.
Their vision was that European countries would pool strategic resources together in order to make war between historic rivals, like France and Germany, impossible.
It was a vision which grew and grew, from 6 to now 27 nations, plus 9 candidate countries for membership, including Ukraine. The strength of the European Union has always lain in its ability to attract and inspire others. Enlargement remains one of Europe’s most powerful tools for promoting democracy, stability and prosperity across the continent.
To mark Europe Day, the EU Delegation to the Lao PDR hosted an official reception in Vientiane. The guests of honour were Minister of Culture and Tourism Mrs Suanesavanh Vignaket and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr Maythong Thammavongsa, alongside senior representatives of government, heads of diplomatic missions, UN agencies, and other distinguished guests.
The event not only provided an occasion to reflect on the principles of peace and solidarity that have guided European integration since 1950, it also reaffirmed the strong and longstanding partnership between the EU and Laos.
In today’s changing and challenging world, the EU continues to rely on its founding principles, forging strong and fair partnerships - from Africa to the Indo-Pacific - to address various global challenges, such as climate change, digital transformation, and growing pressures on human rights, while defending a rules-based international order that it helped to build over the years.
EU Ambassador to Laos, Mr Mark Gallagher,  said: “We all draw strength from partnerships. Europe is and will remain a strong and reliable partner, including of the Lao PDR, for cooperation, respect for international law, reciprocity, and human dignity. Europe Day is not only a celebration of Europe’s unity, but also of our enduring partnerships around the world.”
As the EU advances its commitment to multilateralism and international cooperation, Europe Day serves as a timely reminder that shared challenges require shared solutions, and that unity remains Europe’s greatest strength.

By Times Reporters
 (Latest Update May 11, 2026)