On the occasion of the 2019 Europe day, the Delegation of the European Union to the Council of Europe in cooperation with the Office of the Directorate General of Programmes organised an event showcasing EU/CoE joint programmes on 10 May 2019 in Strasbourg. The event brought together Permanent Representatives of the member States of the Council of Europe.

“I have always been convinced that the complementarity of the Council of Europe and the European Union in continuously strengthening democracy, human rights and the rule of law is essential to the success of the European continent”, stated Jean-Claude Juncker, President of the European Commission in a video message at the opening of the event. “Europe Day provides the perfect backdrop for showcasing the important co-operation that takes place, day in, day out, between the Council of Europe and the European Union,” said Thorbjørn Jagland, Secretary General of the Council of Europe presenting the growing co-operation between the two institutions since the signature of the EU/CoE Memorandum of Understanding in 2007. Meglena Kuneva, EU Ambassador to the Council of Europe also addressed the participants.

• Video message of Jean-Claude Juncker, President of the European Commission
• Speech by  Thorbjørn Jagland, Secretary General of the Council of Europe