On the picture, Counsellor Ingūna Vīksne from the Embassy of Latvia to Belgium and Luxembourg.
By Baron Henri Estramant.
A classical music concert and a reception to mark “Europe Day” were held at the prestigious business, arts and literary club Cercle Gaulois in Brussels on Monday, 11 May, in the vicinity of the Royal Palace. The function is annually arranged by the NGO “Give a Soul to Europe” led by M Patrick Huart.
9 May, or Europe Day was more prominent this year as Europe marks the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II, and the 65th anniversary of the Schuman Declaration.
The Schuman Declaration was presented by French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman on 9 May 1950. It proposed the creation of a European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC). The ECSC (founding members: France, West Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg) was the first of a series of supranational European institutions that would ultimately become today’s “European Union”.
An allocution to mark Europe Day at the Cercle Gaulois was held by Latvia’s Deputy Head of Mission (Embassy of Latvia to Belgium and Luxembourg) Counsellor Ingūna Vīksne. The most prominent attendees included Ambassador Ong Eng Chuan (Singapore to the Benelux countries, EU & OPCW), Ambassador Matjaž Šinkovec (Slovenia to Belgium, the African Union & the Political and Security Committee of the EU), Ambassador Vesselin Valkanov (Bulgaria to Belgium), Ambassador Jacques Revah (Israel to Belgium & Luxembourg), Ambassador Vesna Arsić (Serbia to Belgium & Luxembourg), Counsellor Siro Beltrametti (Switzerland to Belgium) and Mr Alexander Homann, Head of the Representation of the German-Speaking Community of Belgium in Brussels.
The event was held under the patronage and in the presence of HRH Princess Alexandre of Belgium.
For more information:
Give a Soul to Europe: www.gsteurope.eu
The European Commission on Europe Day: http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-15-4948_en.htm
