Robert Schuman

Adrian Cioroianu, Ambassador and Permanent Delegate of Romania to UNESCO, former Minister of Foreign Affairs, states that, "by virtue of our history of the last 70 years", the crisis generated by the coronavirus pandemic could be "a stage in the strengthening of the European Union" and expresses hope that there are "political figures to rise to the height of this moment" at European level.

But since Orban's ruling Fidesz party returned to power in 2010, it has become the must-attend event for right-wing Hungarian intelligentsia loyal to Fidesz.

It was a speech in 2014 that made the biggest waves internationally as Orban set out a vision for an "illiberal state" that became a template for nationalist-populists everywhere.

It wasn't that long ago that May 9 was an uncomplicated date in the political calendar in Eastern Europe and the Balkans. State leaders processed to the main World War II memorial, made speeches about the heroic struggle against Nazism and Fascism and laid wreaths.

At a reception in the Museum of Contemporary Art in Belgrade, on the occasion of Europe Day, May 9, Vucic said that Serbian citizens wanted to live in a society of a European type, which means a democratic and free society, but that a lot still had to be done on accomplishing that goal.

The Foreign Affairs Ministry (MAE) conveyed on Europe's Day a message of unity and confidence in the European Union, mentioning that Romania remains a firm supporter of this project which represents "the guarantee of a common, peaceful and prosperous future in Europe."

Euronews - Europe Day, observed on May 9 each year, marks the presentation of the Schuman Declaration in 1950, which proposed the creation of a European Coal and Steel Community, the forerunner to the European Union.

The European Court of Human Rights has elected two new vice-presidents: I??l Karaka? from Turkey and András Sajó from Hungary. They have both been elected for a three-year term and will take up their respective duties on Nov. 1.

President Iohannis said on Saturday, at the reception given on Europe Day at the Cotroceni Palace, that Romania will soon be making strides to become a Schengen member.

Photo credit: (c) Razvan CHIRITA / AGERPRES PHOTO

The European project has the power to reinvent itself, to build a better, fairer and more generous society, is the core idea in Prime Minister Victor Ponta's Europe Day message this Saturday.

Photo credit: (c) Alex MICSIK / AGERPRES PHOTO

Panos Karvounis, the Head of the Greek Representation of the European Commission said that Greek celebrations of Europe Day on May 9 will take place at Messolonghi, western Greece, however there will also be other events at several Greek cities at different dates.