The delegate of the Government in Navarre, Alicia Echeverría, presided this morning the commemorative act of the Day of Europe organized together with the Navarre Council of the European Movement. This year marks the 75th anniversary of the Schuman Declaration proposing the creation of a European Coal and Steel Community, which was the first in a series of supranational institutions that would eventually become what the European Union is today.
Echeverría has defended the need for a strong Union to face the challenges of the current moment. The government delegate has referred to the pandemic, the war in Ukraine or tensions with the government of Donald Trump and has advocated to “find agreements and consensus” on issues that are now on the table such as defense, military spending or trade relations with countries around the world.
“The Government of Spain defends that a strong and supportive European Union is more necessary than ever,” said Alicia Echeverría, “being aware as we are that we have to assume our responsibilities and fulfill the obligations that come with being a member of the Union, because times are changing and we have to adapt to the new international scenario.”
In the course of the event, the manifesto “Voices for Europe” has been read. The Minister of the Interior, Public Service and Justice of the Government of Navarre, Amparo López, participated; the Vice-President of Parliament, Ainhoa Unzu; the President of the Council of Navarre, José Luis Goñi; the President of the Chamber of Comptos, Ignacio Salvador; the Ombudsman, Patxi Vera; the President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Javier Taberna; and the President of the Navarre Council of the European Movement, Elena Ciordia.
A student from the Public University of Navarre has also spoken, as well as students and professors from three of the six Schools Ambassadors of the European Parliament that are in the Foral Community: the Integrated Polytechnic Center of Lumbier, the Secondary Education Institute “Reyno de Navarre” of Azagra and the Liceo Monjardin. The Schools Ambassadors of the European Parliament are also the San Cernin, Vedruna and Teresiana centres.
Professor of Private International Law at the Public University of Navarre Xabier Orbegozo presented his academic essay “From lasting peace to the challenges of the present: the challenges of the European Union”, in which he disaggregated the current moment that Europe is experiencing and the challenges set for the coming years.