EU anniversary review: a lot done, more to do

WE can celebrate the 50th anniversary of the European Union with a sense of pride and determination.

We can be proud of the successes achieved to date while at the same time recognising that there are problems to be addressed.

The EU has brought us peace, stability and prosperity. Economically, it has brought us the internal market and the single European currency.

One of the reasons for our economic success is that Ireland has received over €50 billion in structural funds and CAP payments since 1973.

Ireland, for its part, has brought a lot of positives to the EU.

Many of the countries which recently joined the union look to Ireland as a role model member state.

But the EU must continue to address the concerns of its 500 million citizens. We must tackle problems such as climate change and the need to be more energy efficient. As a community of 27 members, the EU is in a very strong position to take a leadership role in addressing global challenges.

European legislators are working as both heirs and executors. We have inherited a very successful economic and political project. But equally, we must put in place policies that protect the interests and address the concerns of current and future generations.

Brian Crowley MEP

President

UEN Political Group

European Parliament

Strasbourg