DELEGATION OF THE EUROPEAN UNION

PRESS RELEASE
Belmopan, May 15, 2014
EU Ambassador participates in activities to celebrate Europe Day

The Delegation of the European Union to Belize along with some of its partner agencies will between May 16 and
21 host a number of events to commemorate Europe Day 2014. The day which is celebrated annually
commemorates the 1950 declaration by French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman, appealing for the end of war and
for European countries to work together towards their economic interests. The ideas of Schuman have also infused
the cooperation which currently exists beyond European borders, guiding EU development policy and relations with
partner countries such as Belize. To facilitate the participation of projects which would like to honour May 9, the
Delegation in Jamaica recognises the entire Month of May as Europe Month.

Activities in Belize will commence with the EU's sponsorship of private, school and public viewings of
the award winning documentary "Songs of Redemption". The two day showing will be held between
Friday, May 16 and Saturday May 17 at the Princess Hotel and Casino in Belize City. The film shows the
day to day experiences and challenges of the inmates in a Jamaican prison, the circumstances that brought
them in conflict with the law and the hope that the rehabilitation programme funded by the EU through its
European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR) nurtures among these inmates.

Also, on May 16th the Ambassador will participate in an Open Day at the Sir George Brown Field in Belmopan.
The Open Day is being organized by the Government of Belize and the United Nations Development Programme
(UNEP) to highlight achievements under the EU funded Global Climate Change Alliance (GCCA) project. The
project began in June 2011 and will end next year has the objective of improving the country's resilience to the
effects of climate change through interventions in the water sector as well as enhance the institutional capacities of
the Government in relation to climate change. On Monday, May 20, the Ambassador along with government
officials and representatives of IICA will inaugurate the new administrative and research facility of the Sugar
Industry Research and Development Institute (SIRDI) in Orange Walk.
Commenting on the planned celebrations, Ambassador Amadei said "The EU remains the leading donor
in Belize and a committed development partner of the country and many still do not realize that EU
funds are not loans to be repaid, but grants gifts to the people of Belize in the spirit of solidarity. The
EU contributes to a number of sectors including agriculture, micro financing, social development,
helping to build hurricane resilience, and mitigate the impact of climate change, contributing to rural
development, health, and more recently human rights. The diversity of the activities being undertaken
to mark Europe Day are testament to our commitment to the people of Belize."
During her visit the Ambassador will also hold meetings with Government Ministers and officials,
representatives of the diplomatic corps, representatives from donor agencies and local EU project partners.

The Ambassador will depart Belize on May 22.

For more information Contact
EU Technical Support Office
3358 Floral Park Street
Belmopan
Office number: (011-501)-822-0868
Fax number: (011-501)-822-2863