Speaking at an address to the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) in Berlin today (Friday), Minister for European Affairs, Paschal Donohoe TD, said enabling all voices within the European Union to be heard will contribute to the continued durability of the Union into the future (see full speech below).
Minister Donohoe is in Berlin to meet German Minister of State for Europe, Michael Roth; members of the Bundestag and to participate in a discussion at the KAS.
“Membership of the European Union brings great benefits. But it is not without its challenges either. By working together, however, Member States can achieve much more than on their own. This is the contemporary rationale for the EU.
“We must ensure that all members voices are heard loud and clear. A Union that enables all countries, small and big, to develop in unison and have their voices heard, is a Union that will show the same durability in the future, as it has done in the past.
“In charting the best way forward and ensuring that the values and freedoms of the Union are maintained, we must be vigilant in not giving the middle ground to those who have an open agenda of destroying the achievements of the Union. It is in all of our interests to ensure they are protected.”
Friday, 7th February 2014