A revolutionary idea envisioned by French Foreign Affairs Minister Robert Schuman on 9 May 1950, to inseparably connect the economies of once warring European countries in order to establish a lasting peace, stability, and security, by placing the coal and steel production under a common High Authority, led to the European Union as we know it. This is the reason why this particular date is celebrated as Europe Day, not only in the EU, but throughout the world as well.

The European Union is one of the most successful projects in modern history, and despite challenges Western Balkans countries are faced with, they are offered a chance to join the EU and experience the benefits of peace and security united Europe can offer, said Head of the EU Delegation to Serbia Michael Davenport. Lithuanian experience serves as an example of a successful EU integration, and may be useful for Serbia on its own EU path, said Ambassador at the conference on Lithuanian EU accession experience, held within the Europe Open programme to mark the Europe Day (9 May) in Serbia.

Head of the EU Delegation to Serbia Michael Davenport has offered support to Serbia’s LGBTI community and its efforts to hold 2014 Pride Week and the Pride Parade, saying he will personally take part in the Pride Week.

On Wednesday 7 May 2014 the manifestation “European Village”, organised within the celebration of Europe Day in Zrenjanin, was a true example of the European Union motto “united in diversity”. “Zrenjanin and Vojvodina together make a great example of this motto, and this should remain so throughout Serbia’s EU path,” said Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to Serbia Oskar Benedikt.

The European Union would step up its support to Serbia in this new phase of EU integration process, EU Enlargement Commissioner Štefan Füle said during the visit to Belgrade on May 5, but listed three key priorities that the EU considered for Serbia in the coming months: economic reforms, rule of law and further normalisation of relations with Pristina.

One of the most important results of the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue is building of mutual trust, the Head of the EU Delegation to Serbia Michael Davenport said, adding that it was of great importance that new Serbian PM Aleksandar Vučić showed readiness to continue the dialogue in Brussels leading it himself.

The work by Jugoslav Vlahović won this years’ cartoon and comic strip art competition titled “Myths and Prejudices – How Serbia and EU view each other.” For the second year in a row, the competition was jointly organised by the EU Delegation to Serbia and EU Info Centre to mark the celebration of Europe Day.

The EU High Representative for foreign and security policy Catherine Ashton visits Serbia on Monday, April 28 to discuss “the challenges ahead” with the new government.

The President of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso congratulated to Aleksandar Vučić on his appointment as Serbian Prime Minister, encouraging him to pursue with European integration, reforms and dialogue with Kosovo.

The EU High Representative for foreign and security policy Catherine Ashton said during the visit to Belgrade that Serbia’s new government and parliament should pursue reforms that are key for country’s further integration into the EU as well as to implement agreement with Pristina on normalisation of ties.