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oday, May 9, Europe celebrates the anniversary of the Schuman Declaration. It is an occasion to recall how Europeans have overcome differences and shaped a common future through the European Union. On this day 64 years ago Robert Schuman called for the unification of coal and steel industries in six European countries as a way to make war on the continent impossible.

Behind this simple initiative lay an ambitious and visionary objective: To unite the people of a war-torn Europe through economic and political cooperation. The idea was so successful that the original six countries have now become 28. And the European Union is the most advanced integration project anywhere ever.

After severe financial challenges, Europe'€™s economy is now emerging stronger and more resilient. The EU remains the world'€™s largest economy, the largest trading bloc accounting for 19 percent of world imports and exports and the biggest source of foreign direct investment in the world.

We are open to the world and keen to partner with countries like Indonesia for free and fair trade relations that benefit people both here and in Europe.

The EU is a global actor. We are the world'€™s largest source of development cooperation, focused on poverty alleviation in all corners of the world and the fulfilment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). We are taking on serious responsibilities in support of international peace and security worldwide.

The EU'€™s High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy, Catherine Ashton, leads the talks with Iran on the nuclear dossier. Together with the US we are actively defending the sovereign right of Ukraine to choose its path toward deeper cooperation with the EU and the West.

The EU spearheads the efforts assisting the Balkans to move forward and takes a prominent role in ensuring durable peace in the Middle East, facilitating peaceful transitions in Libya and Egypt and mediating conflicts in the Horn of Africa. The EU is the main humanitarian donor assisting the population of Syria as well as the Palestinians.

In crises around the world, the EU adopts a comprehensive approach that combines all the tools at our disposal: diplomatic, developmental, military and economic. This allows us to address not just the symptoms, but also the root causes.

Take the Horn of Africa, where thanks to a combination of political dialogue with the government of Somalia, our military operation Atalanta and targeted development aid and humanitarian assistance, the country has taken important steps toward nation building and piracy has been reduced by 95 percent.

The year 2014 is a special for the EU. Ten years ago 10 new members joined the Union, including a number of former Warsaw Pact countries. The 2004 enlargement was in many ways an historic step in overcoming decades of division on our continent.

Since then three new members have joined; a testament to the continuing attraction of European integration and the fact that Schuman'€™s idea continues to evolve. The dramatic events in Ukraine, and the flagrant violation of its territorial integrity, shows that there is plenty of unfinished business before the respect of international law and friendly neighborly relations are fully established on the European continent.

This year is also special for European citizens. In May voters will go to the polls to cast their ballot in the elections to the next European Parliament. This means citizens will have a clear say in what should be the EU'€™s priorities for the next five years.

Indonesia and the EU share similar values and interests: we are both large, diverse democracies committed to regional integration, respect for human rights, international law and tolerance. We seek cooperative and multilateral solutions to global challenges and understand the need to urgently address the threats of climate change and to use natural resources sustainably.

As an active dialogue partner with ASEAN, EU is strongly supporting the further connectivity and integration of the region.

A few days ago the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and Indonesia entered into force. It opens up the possibility to take this very promising relationship to the next level through even more active international cooperation, further exchanges among our people and strengthened economic ties.

The writer is EU Ambassador to Indonesia, Brunei Darussalam and ASEAN.