Press release
Government hosts ‘Day of Welcomes’ Event in Farmleigh
From Department of Foreign Affairs
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Foreign Affairs
Published on
Last updated on
Twenty years ago, on 1 May 2004, the European Union enlarged from 15 to 25 Member States. The enlargement, the largest expansion of the Union to date, took place under the then Irish Presidency of the Council of the EU in 2004. The EU welcomed Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia.
In 2004, Ireland hosted a Day of Welcomes in the Phoenix Park for the then twenty-five Member States and those countries in negotiation to become members. The late Seamus Heaney was commissioned to write a poem for the occasion titled ‘Beacons at Bealtaine’.
Today, Ireland celebrates the 20th anniversary of that Day of Welcomes, with an event again held in the Phoenix Park, attended by Taoiseach, Simon Harris TD; Tánaiste, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence, Micheál Martin TD; Minister for European Affairs, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD; and EU Commissioner Mairéad McGuinness.
The Taoiseach said: “The European Union is facing challenges similar in magnitude to those it faced twenty years ago. The EU faces these challenges as a union of shared values, peace and solidarity. These principles were the foundation for the enlargement twenty years ago.
“The Day of Welcomes, and the twenty years that have passed since, serve as an inspiration as we embark on the next iteration of the EU project, embracing the opportunities that will come with enlargement, and tackling the most pressing challenges of our time such as climate change.”
The Tánaiste said: “The Enlargement of the EU twenty years ago was a milestone in reuniting Europe, East and West. Days like today are an opportunity to stop and reflect on the advances we have made since our biggest enlargement ever in 2004; to take stock of the fact that our Union, and indeed Ireland, are stronger, more prosperous, and better as a result of each previous wave of enlargement.”
Minister Carroll MacNeill said: “We must be vocal about our vision for the EU, one that is based on co-operation, hope, and shared values such as respect for Human Rights and the Rule of Law. We look forward to the day when our Union extends to embrace Ukraine as well as Moldova and Georgia and the countries of the Western Balkans.”
The Department of Foreign Affairs has collaborated with the Heaney Estate and Literature Ireland to produce new translations of “Beacons of Bealtaine”, as well as an associated film featuring young performers from the ten countries. The video is available on www.ireland.ie .
ENDS
Press Office
1 May 2024