Minister Ahern Marks 50th anniversary of the Treaties of Rome

Addressing a reception in Iveagh House this evening to mark the 50^th anniversary of the Treaties of Rome, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Dermot Ahern, T.D., said:

 “When the Treaties of Rome were signed, there were few precedents for such an ambitious undertaking.  Modern Europe’s founding generation dared to dream that real and effective partnership among European countries could transform a continent still reeling from the scourge of war.  Like all pioneers, they set out on this journey with no guarantee of success.  Over the years, their vision and strategy have been vindicated in ways that few could have predicted in 1957.  This teaches us that the hopes and dreams we harbour today can, with sustained, determined effort, become tomorrow’s reality.”

Note for Editors.

The 1957 Treaty of Rome is the founding treaty of the European Union.  European Heads of State and Government met in Berlin last weekend to mark the anniversary and adopted a political declaration, the Berlin Declaration.  This recalled the values and achievements of the Union and looks forward to progress in the next stage of the Union’s reform process.  Ireland supports the efforts of the German Presidency to put the ratification of the EU draft Constitution back on track.

This evening’s reception was attended by members of the diplomatic corps accredited to Ireland, together with a number of leading political, parliamentary, administrative and media figures.  Irish Erasmus students, together with participants in the National Forum on Europe’s recent schools’ competition were also present.  The event took place against a backdrop of photo images of milestones in the development of the EU.  The EU and the Irish national anthem were played and His Excellency Mr Christian Pauls, Germany’s Ambassador to Ireland spoke on behalf of the EU Presidency.