SPEECH BY THE PRESIDENT OF IRELAND MARY McALEESE AT A CEREMONY OF AWARD OF MEDAL OF THE CITY
SPEECH BY THE PRESIDENT OF IRELAND MARY McALEESE AT A CEREMONY OF AWARD OF MEDAL OF THE CITY OF ATHENS
Good Evening
Mr Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am delighted to be here with you this evening and am deeply honoured to receive this medal from the City of Athens, a renowned centre of such historic and cultural wealth. Greece and Athens in particular, have played a vital role in the development of European civilisation. The great ideals of freedom and democracy, which we citizens of Europe cherish, were first formulated on this spot. The resistance of the Greeks to the oppression of the great power of the time, Persia, has been a flame of hope and inspiration in many human hearts. Down through the centuries and right across our common global homeland wherever oppressed peoples dreamt of freedom they remembered your story and they dared to contemplate a new future for themselves.
Our two countries at opposite ends of the European Union share bitter experiences of foreign domination so similar that it is not surprising to find Irish names among those who came to the assistance of the Greeks as they struggled to regain their freedom. Not far from this fine city hall, Mr. Mayor, is a street which bears the name of General Richard Church, an Irishman who was the first commander of the Greek land forces, and who was born in Cork in 1784. Whenever and wherever the Irish and Greek meet they meet as friends who understand those values, beliefs, passions and convictions we each hold deeply and which have brought us through difficult times.
Today we meet not just as friends but as partners in the European Union. We share a pride in our European identity for both our countries have found it easy to be both European and Irish, European and Greek. Our respective cultures and identities are so strong and vibrant that we are at home in a Europe where we can confidently showcase who we are and what we are to our neighbours, all of whom today we acknowledge and who acknowledge us, as respected equals. Geography may have placed each of us on the rim of Europe but we have never taken that as a reason to be marginalized. Each of our countries has worked hard to place ourselves at the heart of Europe so that we are shapers of Europe’s destiny as well as our own. Modern communications and technology, the introduction of the Euro, the prosperity which has opened up huge travel options to more and more of our peoples have all helped build a network of experiential bridges across the European Union. Our peoples are getting to know each other better, growing prouder of this complex European spirit which unites us and which rejoices in the energy that comes from our very diversity. This is no “one size fits all” Europe, but rather an interlocking of many differently shaped pieces, each piece needed in order to complete the picture, to allow Europe to truly know its fullest potential, its most humanly decent era.
Both Ireland and Greece are recognised as countries with much to offer our European neighbours. We each have thriving tourism industries underpinned by longstanding reputations for hospitality and a sense of fun. We work hard and at the same time we know how to enjoy life. Maybe that is why sport plays such a big part in our lives. In 2004 Athens will bring the Olympic Games back to its roots and next year Ireland will host the Special World Olympic Games, the first time ever they have been held outside the United States. Just recently the biggest foreign contingent to attend our own National Special Olympic Games came from Greece and it was my privilege to welcome those courageous athletes to Dublin, to watch as they turned from strangers into friends, just as my husband and I have done in this city today.
Given the ties that bind us, it is a matter of great pride that Ireland, in the person of the Head of State, should be inscribed in the records of the City of Athens. I thank you, Mr Mayor, for the honour you and the city of Athens have bestowed upon me today. It is a gesture of friendship and respect, which not only reaffirms the cordial bonds between our two countries but ensures that in each generation those bonds are refreshed, reinvigorated and helped to grow ever stronger. I wish you and the citizens of this city continued success in all you do and offer my thanks again for the way in which you have made us so welcome.
Thank You.