Remarks by President McAleese on the Occasion of the Day of Welcomes,
Áras an Uachtaráin, 1st May 2004
Tá muid cruinnithe anseo inniu le lá thar laethanta móra na hEorpa a cheiliúradh; lá a gcuireann muid fíorchaoin fáilte roimh phobal deich baill úra isteach i dteaghlach Aontas na hEorpa. {We are gathered to celebrate a very great day for Europe – a day on which we give a warm welcome to the people of ten new member states who are to be part of the family that is the European Union}
On this landmark day for the people of Europe, we gather to bid a warm welcome to the ten member states who are joining the family circle, that is the European Union. It is a momentous day of celebration when the past is laid to rest and the future is anticipated with great hope.
We belong to Europe’s most blessed generations for we are witnesses to the unfolding of the future the Union’s founders dreamed of. And we are more than mere witnesses, mere spectators. We are called to be the creators, developers, and nurturers of that future.
Our continent is ancient, our Union is young - we are still only at the start of its possibilities. Its potential is limitless. We will build its prosperity with our hands, its peace with our hearts. We will learn about each other and from each other. We will transcend our differences through respectful dialogue, the pursuit of consensus and adherence to a common vision and shared democratic values.
Each member state brings to the Union the unique genius and heritage of its people; twenty five fascinating faces of Europe’s rich history, four hundred and fifty million people putting their trust in each other. Today we give our children the gift of the biggest European Union ever. Tomorrow we hope they and their children will craft the best.
Guíonn muid rath agus raidhse ar phobal uilig na hEorpa; guíonn muid síocháin agus séan orthu agus ar na glúnta atá fós le teacht. Is é ár mian agus ár rún go dtiocfaidh bláth ar an aisling atá ginte againn anseo inniu.{We wish every blessing and good fortune to all the people of Europe; we pray that future generations will enjoy peace and prosperity. It is our earnest wish that the dream which has been created here on this day will flourish.}