European Parliament President Antonio Tajani officially opened the House of European History (HEH) on Thursday in a formal ribbon-cutting ceremony held in the presence of former EP president Dr Hans-Gert Pöttering (chair of the Board of Trustees) and Professor Wlodzimierz Borodziej (chair of the HEH Academic Committee). The museum will be open to the public as of this Saturday 6 May.

Mr Tajani said “This house is about the things we have in common, the events we have lived through together. This is indeed not only the House of European History, it is also the Home of European identity and European memory.”

Former EP President Hans-Gert Pöttering, Chair of the Board of Trustees of the HEH said “The House of European History is intended to help citizens to step into the future wisely and with confidence, a future which, from today’s standpoint, looks likely to be troubled and full of threats. It is a house which, by showing us the dynamics of European history, enables us to better understand recent history, as well as the present. “

Professor Wlodzimierz Borodziej, Chair of the HEH Academic Committee, said “Like the Union, the work of the House of European History will never be complete. It will always remain a record of the time in which modified versions of the permanent exhibition and of the subsequent temporary exhibitions will be born. Last but not least, it will remain a record of the disputes about this, our tiny appendix of Asia, where we nest and which we have the right to be proud of.”

The House of European History (HEH) aims to encourage citizens to reflect upon and debate about the history of Europe and of European integration. It wants to increase knowledge, arouse curiosity and, over time, become a place for the exchange of ideas, reflection and debate about Europe and its history, linking up people, institutions and networks dealing with European history. Visitors will be challenged to critically assess European history, its potential and its future.

Exhibits in the HEH permanent exhibition have been brought together from around 300 museums and collections from across Europe and beyond – please check the HEH website for more information about the exhibits and HEH partners.

“Interactions. Centuries of Commerce, Combat and Creation” is the House of European History’s first temporary exhibition. It will run until 31 May 2018. It illuminates exemplary moments and revealing stories of encounters and exchanges in European history.

The Museum also offers educational programmes; events for local and visiting publics; publications and a range of online information.

House of European History web site: http://historia-europa.ep.eu/home

Downloadable audio-visual material on the HEH, the building up of the collection, the permanent and temporary exhibition and the opening events: http://audiovisual.europarl.europa.eu/house-european-history .

The 5th Africa-EU Summit due to take place in November 2017 provides a critical opportunity for African and European Leaders to respond to this evolving context and reshape and deepen the Africa-EU partnership.

This Communication proposes a revitalised framework for joint action that the EU and its Member States could bring to the Summit and that could be reflected in a Road Map for 2018-2020. It envisages a stronger, deeper and more action-oriented strategic partnership for more prosperity and stability in the two continents. It sets out policy priorities and an initial set of concrete initiatives for 2018-2020 and beyond, to be coordinated and strengthened with EU Member States and further developed jointly with African partners, in response to Africa’s own Agenda 2063and building on the Global strategy for the EU’s Foreign and Security Policy  It pays particular attention to the aspirations and needs of youth, whose involvement in the overall process will be strongly encouraged.

It contributes to the ongoing reflection, launched through the Joint Communication on A renewed partnership with the countries of Africa, the Caribbean and Pacific  , which will inform the negotiations that will start in 2018, in view of renewing the EU’s longstanding partnership with African, Caribbean, and Pacific countries, in particular the Africa pillar.

It is guided by international frameworks, such as the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, its Addis Ababa Action Agenda (AAAA) on financing for developmentand the Paris Agreement on climate change. It is consistent with other relevant EU policies.

The 5th Africa-EU Summit due to take place in November 2017 provides a critical opportunity for African and European Leaders to respond to this evolving context and reshape and deepen the Africa-EU partnership.

This Communication proposes a revitalised framework for joint action that the EU and its Member States could bring to the Summit and that could be reflected in a Road Map for 2018-2020. It envisages a stronger, deeper and more action-oriented strategic partnership for more prosperity and stability in the two continents. It sets out policy priorities and an initial set of concrete initiatives for 2018-2020 and beyond, to be coordinated and strengthened with EU Member States and further developed jointly with African partners, in response to Africa’s own Agenda 2063and building on the Global strategy for the EU’s Foreign and Security Policy  It pays particular attention to the aspirations and needs of youth, whose involvement in the overall process will be strongly encouraged.

It contributes to the ongoing reflection, launched through the Joint Communication on A renewed partnership with the countries of Africa, the Caribbean and Pacific  , which will inform the negotiations that will start in 2018, in view of renewing the EU’s longstanding partnership with African, Caribbean, and Pacific countries, in particular the Africa pillar.

It is guided by international frameworks, such as the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, its Addis Ababa Action Agenda (AAAA) on financing for developmentand the Paris Agreement on climate change. It is consistent with other relevant EU policies.