Europe Day: EU at the United Nations [fr]

9 May

Europe Day celebrates Europe’s achievements and European unity and solidarity.

The date 9 May was chosen to commemorate the declaration made by Robert Schuman, then French Minister of Foreign Affairs, on 9 May 1950. In this founding speech, Robert Schuman outlined an unprecedented project suggesting new forms of cooperation in Europe that would ensure lasting peace. Today, this initiative is considered the "Birth Act" of the European Union.

This year, Europe Day marks the beginning of the European Year of Skills, which promotes Europeans’ lifelong education.

The European commitment to the United Nations

The European project is based on the conviction that fair and effective multilateralism within the United Nations is crucial for maintaining peace in the world. At a time when Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine threatens peace on European territory, the European Union’s defense of the United Nations Charter is more important than ever.

Within the Security Council, France and Malta are currently the only two EU Member States to hold a seat. France therefore plays an essential role in conveying the Europeans’ commitment and vision in multilateral processes.

The EU’s unique status at the United Nations

At the United Nations, thanks to its close cooperation with the organization, and because of its central role in multilateralism, the EU holds a privileged observer status. The EU can speak at the annual session of the General Assembly and is the only observer member that can orally present proposals and amendments.

The EU Member States are essential to the operation of peacekeeping missions, in which they collectively deploy more than 5,000 personnel and whose total budget they finance by almost a quarter. They are also the largest contributors to the regular UN budget, to which they contribute almost a quarter.