Europe Day 2013

Celebration of Europe Day to take place in the Commonwealth of Dominica - 9th May 2013

Ambassador Mikael Barfod, Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean and his services, have chosen the Commonwealth of Dominica as the venue to celebrate Europe Day 2013. In recognition of Europe Day 2013, the Office of the National Authorising Officer for the European Development Fund is hosting a series of activities geared at highlighting the contribution that the European Union has made towards the economic and social development of Dominica and increasing EU visibility.

The European Union, our key development partner continues to support our country’s socio economic development, evidenced by the continued investment of millions of Euros in grant funding for the development of critical sectors. This commitment is being kept amidst Europe’s unabating present-day challenges and for this we Dominicans are eternally grateful.

Some of the EU’s most recent and significant interventions are:

  1. The Waitukubuli National Trail which will formally be declared as an Eco-Tourism Site on Friday, 10th May 2013, and which is expected to be a major tourist product in Dominica with linkages to Health, Community Development, Culture and Agro-Tourism.
  2. The ongoing West Coast Water Supply Project, which will provide communities along the Northwest coast with access to a consistent supply of potable water.
  3. The ongoing 10th EDF General Budget Support Programme which provides specific support to the Tourism, Health, Water and Geothermal sectors.
  4. The Banana Accompanying Measures (BAM) programme which will be launched at the LaPlaine Agricultural Training Centre on Thursday, 9th May 2013, and which will seek to enhance competitiveness and increase productivity in the agricultural sector.

The 9th of May is identified as a European symbol (Europe Day) which, along with the flag, the anthem, the motto and the single currency (the Euro), identifies the political entity of the European Union. It is on the 9th of May 1950, Robert Schuman the French Foreign Minister presented his proposal on the creation of an organised Europe, indispensable to the maintenance of peaceful relations. This proposal, known as the "Schuman Declaration", is considered to be the beginning of the creation of what is now the European Union. Europe Day is the occasion for activities and festivities that bring Europe closer to its citizens and peoples of the Union closer to one another.

On the celebration of Europe Day 2013, the National Authorising Officer for the European Development Fund, on behalf of the Government and people of the Commonwealth of Dominica, expresses her gratitude to the European Union for its continued dynamic support and valuable partnership.