New members will enrich EU

IN the wake of the devastation of the Second World War, there was a strong desire to prevent future wars between the nations of Europe. Economic, political and cultural cooperation between nation states was seen as a means to prevent political conflict.

The European Union as we know it today is based on that founding principle and, as the number of member states increases with this latest round of enlargement, the belief in peaceful co-operation is spread further still.

It is fitting that Ireland, as a nation devoted to the ideal of peace and friendly co-operation amongst nations, has the honour of presiding over the largest expansion in the history of the European Union. Today, May 1, Accession Day, marks the reunification of Europe and the ending of the artificial divisions of the last century.