The Delegation of the European Union to Bosnia and Herzegovina together with the EU Info Centre marked Europe Day – May 9 with cycling events in Banja Luka, Bihać and Mostar.
More than a thousand cyclists took part in simultaneous recreational bicycle rides titled “Bike with the Stars” in three BiH cities, joined by representatives of the EU Delegation to BiH/EUSR, local officials and citizens.
Welcoming the participants in Banja Luka, Ambassador Lars-Gunnar Wigemark, Head of the EU Delegation to BiH and EU Special Representative, said:
“This year we mark two important anniversaries: 70 years since the end of World War II and 65 years since the adoption of the Schuman Declaration. The EU has come a long way since then – it has expanded from six to 28 Member States, enabled free movement for its citizens, and secured economic progress. Most importantly, the EU is a successful peace project, ending centuries of hostilities among most European nations. We are building peace, prosperity and cooperation among nations through an unprecedented level of regional integration.”
Ambassador Wigemark also recalled the EU’s firm commitment to Bosnia and Herzegovina becoming a member of the EU, which was reinforced through the recent EU initiative to re-energise the country’s EU accession path and the EU’s decision to bring the Stabilisation and Association Agreement into force on June 1. EU Member State ambassadors to Bosnia and Herzegovina, H.E. Christian Hellbach, Ambassador of Germany, H.E. Jurriaan Kraak, Ambassador of Netherlands and H.E. Frederik Schiller, Ambassador of Sweden, also attended the event in Banja Luka.
In Mostar, the eight kilometre bicycle ride started from the Spanish Square where Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to BiH, Dr. Renzo Daviddi, joined the participants after officially opening the event.
In Bihać, the 12 kilometre bicycle ride was opened by the Head of Communications of the EU Delegation to BiH/EUSR, Andy McGuffie, who also joined other participants through the streets of the city.
DJs were in charge of ensuring a good time and music in all three cities, whilst the youngest had the opportunity to enjoy free face painting in the balloon filled playroom at the start/finish posts.
Europe Day is observed throughout the European Union on 9 May, the anniversary of the 1950 Schuman Declaration that set out the basic principles on which the EU has been built. It is an occasion to celebrate the EU’s achievements – including lasting peace, economic cooperation and borderless movement.
The Delegation of the European Union to Bosnia and Herzegovina has been marking 9 May, Europe Day in Bosnia and Herzegovina since 1997 through various cultural and sport events. In taking part, BiH citizens joined celebrations taking place around the world.
