Africa-Press – Eswatini. His Majesty King Mswati III has made a commitment to continue working with the European Union (EU) to promote global peace.
The king said this on May 9, 2025 during the Europe Day, which was celebrated at Malandela’s Lifestyle in Malkerns. His Majesty the King was represented in the event by His Royal Highness (HRH) Prince Guduza. The king congratulated the EU for having celebrated their day every year on May 9 for the past 75 years.
Since 1950, Europeans decided to come together and be united in diversity, under the European Union (EU). The celebration is done as a commemoration of the Schuman Declaration of May 9, 1950.
During the event, His Majesty congratulated the EU’s founding fathers for laying the foundation for peace, and their foresight in seeing that war only brought pain and suffering to innocent people. He encouraged the Europeans to keep on observing this day, as it was important on the history of Europe, just as September 6, 1968 was important for Eswatini, as that was the beginning of an opportunity for Emaswati to shape their destiny, as an independent nation. He expressed Eswatini’s gratitude to EU for the enduring bilateral relations the two had enjoyed for many years.
The king noted that EU had been helping Eswatini in its development initiatives and national vision of achieving developed status, alongside the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of 2030. He said the assistance received from Europe in that regard had been invaluable.
Through partnerships in education, healthcare, skills development, resource sharing, job creation, among other things, Europe has empowered Emaswati to seize the best opportunities available, according to the king.
Over the past 75 years, the king noted that the EU had emerged as a leading global actor, significantly contributing to peace, stability, and sustainable growth worldwide. As a peace-loving nation, the king said the Kingdom of Eswatini championed dialogue and co-existence, urging all nations to foster harmony. He said wars and conflicts undermined economic progress and social cohesion.
The king further called upon the UN to fulfill its charter’s mandate in promoting global peace. He also urged the EU to continue to work together to advocate for open dialogue, shared stability, prosperity, and universal values. He described the relationship between Eswatini and Europe as the one that was built on mutual trust and respect.
His Majesty said for the Kingdom of Eswatini, the EU remained an important partner in many domains. For over 50 years, Emaswati have benefitted from this partnership, which has consistently supported Eswatini’s development initiatives. The king noted that EU has invested billions of Emalangeni to enhance access to clean water, electricity, free education, healthcare (vaccines), sustainable and climate-smart agriculture, and infrastructure development, to name a few.
The king also thanked the EU for opening its market for Eswatini, as the country is able to export its products to that continent, without paying tariffs. He said this arrangement had come at a better time when Eswatini was promoting the ‘Buy Eswatini’ products, confident that producing high-quality goods would enhance competitiveness in the global markets.
The king also informed EU Ambassador to Eswatini Karsten Mecklenburg that Eswatini still grappled with youth unemployment, which was still high. He said Eswatini had launched several initiatives that are aimed at alleviating the youth unemployment. He appreciated EU for also supporting Eswatini with programmes aimed at improving the country’s youth.
The king wished continued prosperity for the EU. He then proposed a toast to the warm and cordial relations that happily existed between the EU and the Kingdom of Eswatini. The king further wished long life to European Council President Antonio Costa, European Commission President Ursula Von Der Leyen, and the entire family of the EU.
The event was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Thulisile Dladla, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Pholile Shakantu, Minister of Finance Neal Rijkenberg, Republic of China (Taiwan) Ambassador to Eswatini Jeremy Liang and other members of the diplomatic corps, among many others that were invited to the event.
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