REMARKS BY PRESIDENT MCALEESE AT THE TOWN TWINNING RECEPTION ÁRAS AN UACHTARÁIN
REMARKS BY PRESIDENT MCALEESE AT THE TOWN TWINNING RECEPTION ÁRAS AN UACHTARÁIN FRIDAY, 3RD SEPTEMBER 1999
Is cúis mhór áthais dom fáilte a chur romhaibh go léir chuig Áras an Uachtaráin.
I am delighted to have this opportunity to welcome you here today to Áras an Uachtaráin. This is a day for celebrating your tremendous work in building links of co-operation and friendship between communities throughout Ireland, North and South. I would like to say a special ‘Céad Míle Fáilte’ to our guests from Northern Ireland. You are most welcome.
The concept of town twinning developed in Europe in the aftermath of the Second World War. As a result of the terrible carnage and bitterness of that conflict, both national leaders and ordinary people resolved to ensure that such a conflict – and the barriers of hatred and mistrust which had caused it – could never again happen. At national level, the response was to establish the institutions which have now become the European Union. At local level, less dramatic but of equal significance, the idea of town twinning was born. It has become an extraordinarily successful initiative with more than 10,000 municipalities now involved across Europe.
That success owes much to the fact that it quite simply makes good sense for towns and villages to pool knowledge and ideas, gaining a better understanding of their respective cultures and environment. Bringing people together to devise joint strategies and projects in areas such as economic development, trade links, tourism initiatives and cultural projects opens up a whole new range of opportunities for both partners. It generates new energy and fresh ideas – creating a win-win situation from which everyone gains.
But those linkages also have a value beyond the purely practical dimension. The reason it has been so successful is that it is grounded in mutual respect. There are no dominant parties, just equal partners. It doesn’t seek to impose rigid structures or threaten identity. Rather it provides a safe space in which communities can come together to realise their common interests and to gain a greater understanding and appreciation of their differences.
That is why, in the context of Ireland, North and South, this Local Authority Linkage Programme is such a valuable and important initiative. Years of conflict and mistrust stymied the development of trade and co-operation between North and South. Of all the national frontiers in the European Union, the lowest proportionate level of cross-border trade and trade growth has been between the two economies on this island. The border counties on both sides have suffered disproportionately – losing natural hinterlands and facing an uphill struggle in attracting investment, employment and prosperity for their people.
We now have an opportunity to redress this situation – and there is much ground to be made up. The Good Friday Agreement offered the opportunity for a new dynamic in cross-border relationships, built on trust, acceptance and mutual benefit. It opened a door – but it is up to all of us to ensure that this door remains open, and becomes a vibrant channel of communication, friendship and co-operation. This Linkage Programme has a very positive role to play in building up those relationships at grass-roots level and thereby contributing to an environment in which reconciliation, peace and prosperity can blossom on this island.
I would like to warmly commend all of you for participating in this Linkage Programme. As pioneers in this process, your work in fostering an atmosphere of trust and co-operation is making a real difference. I have no doubt that your vision and your commitment will be richly rewarded in the coming years.
I would also like to pay tribute to the exceptional work undertaken by Co-operation Ireland – not only in respect of this programme – but also over the past twenty years. It took real dedication and determination to persevere with your work throughout that period, through the times when your efforts must have seemed heartbreakingly insignificant, perhaps even pointless. But your persistence and self-belief have paid off and today, despite the obstacles that are still strewn on the pathway towards trust and co-operation, there is a wonderful new dynamic of interest and enthusiasm by local authorities and communities in forging new cross-border links. Indeed in a recent survey to which three quarters of local authorities, North and South, responded - a remarkable 97% of these expressed interest in increasing cross-border co-operation. You can take justifiable pride in those figures, for they are tangible proof that your efforts have borne fruit and that the future holds many new and exciting opportunities.
This is a day of celebration. I would like to thank our harpist, Ashling Ennis, who serenaded you in the hallway on your way in, and our pianist, Maria McGarry who will play for us later on. I hope that you enjoy yourself and that you will also see this as an opportunity to meet as many people as possible, and to develop new links and friendships with the towns and villages represented here today. I very much look forward to meeting all of you.
Is iontach an obair atá ar siúl agaibh. Guím gach rath oraibh sa todhchaí.