European Union celebrates Europe Day at PNCA

ISLAMABAD: The European Union (EU) and EU member states in Pakistan on Saturday celebrated the Europe Day again in a unique manner here at Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA).

Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Reforms Makhdoom Khusro Bakhtiar was the chief guest on the occasion.

Addresssing the participants of Eurovillage, he said Europe since signing of the master treaty had laid an example for the rest of the world to follow their historical culture.

Pakistan, he said, had a long standing relation with the European Union and "we look forward towards a strategic partnership based on social economic development and people to people contact.

" He expressed the hope that one day South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) should also follow the footsteps of EU and "we will be celebrating SAARC Day."

Earlier, Ambassador of the European Union to Pakistan, Jean-François Cautain recalled that the reason the EU was organising a Eurovillage with participation from the member states was “to remind everyone of the EU’s cultural richness while also underlining our unity.”

He affirmed that “the European Union is, and will continue to be a strong, cooperative and reliable partner to Pakistan. We stand for multilateralism, for human rights, and for international cooperation. We work at home and abroad to promote sustainable development, inclusive societies, and the fight against inequality and discrimination of any type.”

A ''Eurovillage'' was set up in Pakistan National Council of Arts (PNCA), Islamabad, aiming at promoting the European culture and values.

The general public was provided with multiple displays of Europe as a culturally rich and friendly place.

The EU's as well as the member states' stands showcased the countries' cultures and traditions, languages, food and music to Pakistan's general public as well as general information about the EU and the EU member States.

The premises of PNCA were transformed into a genuine carnival with stalls with European typical food.

There were information and activity booths for adults and children including quizzes, selfie walls and giant cut outs of famous landmarks in Europe.

The evening ended with live performances of European bands.

Award winning European DJ Pakistani artist Meesha Shafi also performed while the famous European illusionist Charlie Caper enthralled the audience with his performance.