Today, 9th May, is the 75th anniversary of the Schuman Declaration. On that day, 75 years ago, French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman gave a speech that laid the foundation for a united Europe. His words paved the way for an unprecedented era of prosperity, peace, democracy, solidarity and cooperation in Europe. His vision still lives on today. The European Union (EU) is a living project, and a symbol of what can be achieved when we overcome our divisions and when we come together united in diversity. We are a union of nations, a Team Europe, committed to peace, cooperation, and the promotion of universal values, and we have turned those values into reality for over 450 million people within Europe who are far better off today than we were 75 years ago.

Today, we live in a world that is increasingly fragmented and uncertain, where transactional interests are sometimes pursued to the detriment of international stability. In these troubled times, Europe remains an effective, reliable and predicable partner. For Europeans, the EU is the guarantor of prosperity, security, freedoms and rights. Internationally, the EU is committed to contribute to a more peaceful, just and cooperative world.

We are at a critical moment in history. Russia’s brutal and unlawful war against Ukraine brought war closer to home than we could have ever imagined. Today, we are more committed than ever in defending peace and stability. The EU stands for a rules-based international order—not the law of the strongest, but the law of mutual respect, collective responsibility, based on international law and the United Nations Charter. In doing so, we also defend the fundamental values the EU was built on.

As we adapt to new political realities in a rapidly changing world, we are committed to building bridges, rather than barriers, be it in Europe or with our international partners. Europe has long been a leader in multilateralism, and today, we reaffirm that commitment. We stand shoulder to shoulder with countries, such as Botswana, that share our belief in open economies, fair trade, and the universal values of democracy and human rights. Our relationships with partners around the world are built on the principle of equal partnerships.

We also believe in building bridges with fair and rules-based trade, which has contributed significantly to economic growth, development and prosperity for countries across the globe. Europe already has trade agreements in place with 76 countries, with more agreements being negotiated. Thanks to EU’s Economic Partnership Agreement, Botswana can export its goods to the EU market with 0% tariffs.

This year we also celebrate 25 years of EU’s Partnership with the African Union. Together with the African Union, we are committed to regional economic integration and sustainable growth, building bridges between the two continents. This is why half of our EUR 300 billion external investment plan, called Global Gateway, is for the African continent. The EU is also Africa’s first trading partner as we work together on sustainable trade and investment that create growth and jobs. We are equally committed to peace, security and governance as preconditions for sustainable development.

The EU is deeply committed to economic prosperity in our partner countries across Africa, including Botswana and the SADC region. Through Global Gateway, we are investing in sustainable and smart infrastructure, creating new opportunities for trade, jobs and livelihoods in Southern Africa. From European experience, we know the benefits regional integration brings to 450 million Europeans every day: with more prosperity and stability, and with freedom to live, work, study, travel and trade within the EU. These are the benefits we hope people of SADC will also be able to fully enjoy in the SADC region. As the EU, we are committed to building bridges within the SADC region and beyond—whether that means improving trade and inclusive growth, or fighting climate change and advancing the green energy transition, as we collaborate in close partnership with the SADC.

EU’s partnership with Botswana is focused on making a real, tangible difference in the lives of Batswana, be it in supporting the digital transformation, strengthening renewable energy capabilities, or promoting eco-tourism and horticulture. Earlier this week we took a major step towards digital transformation in Botswana. We launched a BWP 67.7 million EU funded program, which supports Botswana’s digital transformation, including support to digital skills, smart government and e-services, cybersecurity and boosting tech start-ups and digital entrepreneurship. As Team Europe, together with Estonia, Finland and France, we are committed in supporting Botswana become a regional digital hub, with the EU as a steadfast ally in driving economic diversification and job creation.

On this 75th Europe Day, as we celebrate the European Union, we also look ahead of building many more bridges, including those across the troubled waters. We look ahead to a future of continued cooperation, shared prosperity, more stability and lasting peace. We look ahead to a world where the rule of law prevails over the law of the strongest. As the EU, we remain committed to the work that lies ahead and to the partnerships that unite us. We reaffirm our commitment to our partnership with the Government of Botswana, as well as all our partners in Botswana, in the SADC Secretariat and in the region, to create a better future for all.