EU celebrates Europe Day with display of colours at Saloma Bridge

KUALA LUMPUR: The European Union (EU) Delegation to Malaysia on Monday marked Europe Day in a unique way with a show of colours displayed at the iconic Saloma Bridge here.

The bridge was lighted with the colours of the EU flag in blue and a circle of 12 stars. Europe Day, observed annually on May 9 celebrates peace and unity in the EU.

The EU Ambassador to Malaysia, Michalis Rokas, said the significant event also commemorates the longstanding relationship between Malaysia and the 27-member union, while demonstrating EU as a trusted and strong partner to Malaysia in various aspects, based on shared values and principles such as the rules-based international order, effective and sustainable multilateralism, and free and fair trade.

"In this sense, Europe Day is an excellent opportunity to reflect on new areas of cooperation which will be beneficial to Malaysians and Europeans alike," he said in a statement which was made available to Bernama.

Rokas said in striving to give young people more and better opportunities for the future, this year's Europe Day, themed "European Year of Youth", intends to address the issues that mostly affect youths such as equality, inclusivity, and sustainability.

Rokas and 14 ambassadors and representatives of the EU member states, along with the Ambassador of Ukraine to Malaysia, Olexander Nechytaylo, were present at the celebration on Monday.

The Ukrainian flag was also featured on the Saloma Bridge as a symbol of the EU's solidarity with the Ukraine and its people amid the ongoing Russian aggression, echoing the spirit of the Schuman Declaration made on May 9, 1950, leading to the EU as a peace project.

The delegation of the EU in Malaysia has also produced a short video highlighting the exciting bits and pieces of the event.

-- BERNAMA