The European Union in Burundi celebrates Europe Day

On the evening of may 9, 2022, the delegation of the European Union to Burundi organized a cocktail party for the celebration of Europe Day. The Ambassadors of the Member States of the European Union accredited in Burundi were present at this event as well as other Diplomats accredited in Burundi, representatives of civil society as well as certain members of the Government, including the Burundian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Development Cooperation, H.E Ambassador Albert SHINGIRO.

 In his speech, the Ambassador Delegate of the European Union to Burundi Mr. Claude BOCHOU first paid tribute to the Burundian peacekeepers who were victims of terrorism, far from their homes while serving as part of a peacekeeping mission. of the African Union in Somalia. He sent his sincere and deep condolences to the people of Burundi and to the bereaved families. It was also an opportunity for this European diplomat to salute Burundi’s efforts in favor of the stability of the continent.

The cooperation efforts of the Europe team in Burundi make the European Union the first donor to Burundi, a title which honors the Union, declared Ambassador Claude Bochou during these ceremonies. Still according to Claude Bochou, the delegation will intensify its efforts in the coming months with the Burundian authorities, its headquarters, the World Bank, the IMF and the EIB in order to facilitate the mobilization of financing.

 The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Development Cooperation His Excellency Ambassador Albert SHINGIRO congratulated the European Union and all its peoples by measuring at its fair value the deep significance of the Europe Day because he understood the political importance it takes on, as well as the attachment and pride of all the peoples of Europe to the achievement. He acknowledges the perseverance, determination and courage of the peoples and their leaders who have made Europe what it is today. “The unionist approach with the results achieved today is a fine example for the rest of the World. By creating the African Union, Africa wanted to demonstrate its interest in this unionist approach and its values”. He added.

Minister Albert SHINGIRO recognizes that migration, terrorism and international conflicts are major challenges that risk jeopardizing the current world order. But that he is at the same time confident in the ability of nations to find adequate answers to them because they have the necessary resources and genius to do so.

The pooling of efforts by all the Member States of the United Nations to build a new world order based on the rule of international law and respectful of all countries regardless of their size, geographical location and degree of development would be one of the best ways to follow. To tackle the many collective challenges facing humanity right now without resorting to wars and muscle diplomacy.

With regard to the maintenance of peace, according to Albert SHINGIRO, the phenomena of terrorism, migration, internal or inter-State conflicts do not only concern Europe, Burundi has once again been hit by Al Shabab terrorists in Somalia where the valiant peacekeepers within the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) were attacked using vehicle bombs, suicide bombers and heavily armed men , causing deaths, injuries and missing persons and that it is clear that the objective of this attack is to hinder the efforts of ATMIS to bring peace and security throughout Somalia, but that the Burundian contingent remains determined to bring the best of itself so that peace and stability finally triumph in a lasting way in this brotherly country.