IV Economic Forum of Young Leaders
September, 08 - 12, 2009, Nowy Sącz, Poland

Ireland accession to the EU made Irish people more Irish

Monet, Schuman and other creators had a revolutionary idea, revolutionary project of Europe based on principles and values. He is conscious that this project is no perfect and unfinished but it’s worth of being continued. The basic rule of the European Union is equality which means that everybody must be listened. In the heart of any European project, there must be the willingness to listen. European project must be re- invented and people must be re-engaged, this is the youth task, they should make it a passion. Minister Roche reminded that Irish people were afraid of joining EU, they were worrying that their traditions will be lost. Finally, they became more Irish then before.

Interview with Dick Roche - Minister of State for European Affairs, Ireland Q.: How to make a european more attractive? A.: I think someone should inject a sense of passion about the European project. European project has been peaceful. In many ways it's the biggest success the world has ever seen. For many centuries the world has been solving it's problems by wars. The idea of a warfare between the european nations is completely unworkable. We are successful in growth and development. It's a classical win-win situation. By pulling small amounts of sovereignty we have all gained immeasurably. Young people have a great role to play of bringing that sense of idealism into the European Union. If you look into the Lisbon Treaty, especially the Charter it gives you an uplifting feeling. Principles that are described there are especially attractive to young people. There are so many things going on in Europe. I've told you before that 3 of 4 of my children have been doing the ERASMUS programme. It's a great possibility for young people to come together and create a better understanding among each other. If we speak about sports, we have proposed to the EU Commission to ratify some minority kinds of sports. You must know how many interesting kinds of sports do we have in Ireland. I mean there so many things in Europe. There are so many prospects out there. The biggest problem is that the European Union could be killed by cynicism. And cynicism is something that young people don't usually have or express. So if young people can become enthusiastic about the European project, if they can say: "it is our project", if they want to build Europe on principles, on values - democracy, the rule of law, respect for human rights, it would be a wonderful place for this generation and the generations to come. And finally, I would like us to say our word on the European values, concepts and principles.