Every year, in May Europe Day celebrates peace and unity in Europe.

Europe, was built on the rubble of the Second World War, a war that caused millions of deaths and terrible suffering for tens of millions of civilians. The European construction has enabled us to reconcile and make peace with the past.

Since its creation in 1949, the Council of Europe has been the major architect of post-war democratic developments in Europe and the herald of fundamental rights, democracy, and the rule of law in the continent and beyond.

In recent years, these common values are under strain and too often challenged. The current pandemic has added to the social, economic and political challenges thus amplifying the divide within our societies.

The Council of Europe and its Congress of Local and Regional Authorities will continue to work to help communities overcome the aftermath of the crises, to make societies stronger, more inclusive and more resilient and to defend the human rights, rule of law and democracy for the current and future generations.

The values of the Council of Europe are our common values as Europeans and we must be defended and protected more than ever. Let us not forget that we are all part of this process.

I wish you a very happy European Day!

The Council of Europe counts 47 member States and celebrates Europe Day on the 5 May, date of the adoption of the Statute of the Council of Europe creating the Organisation. The European Union counts 27 member States and celebrates Europe Day on 9 May, date of the Schumann Declaration. (more information)