Nepal, May 9 -- This year, 2025, is a special year for the European Union. Today, on May 9, we mark 75 years since the signing of the Schuman Declaration, the first step towards the establishment of what is now the European Union. The principles of community, solidarity and cooperation that have driven our Union of 27 Member States and 450 million citizens remain as important today as they were in 1950, even more so in the face of unprecedented challenges to the multi-lateral rules-based order.

Last year, after elections in July 2024, we welcomed a new European Commission. While Ursula Von Der Leyen continues as our President, Kaja Kallas is now our Vice-President and High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. The new C...