Mr. President, First Lady,
On behalf of the Government and the people of Ireland, I would like to extend our very best wishes to you and to all the distinguished guests gathered to celebrate St. Patricks Day. I am delighted to be here with you on March 17th, the actual day when millions of people of Irish descent across the globe unite to honour their native land and their common heritage.
Today, we are reminded in a special way of the close and abiding friendship that has existed between our two nations for so many centuries. The United States has been a stalwart supporter of Ireland, in good times and in bad. During the darkest days of our history, America provided the promise of a new future for the millions of Irish compelled to leave their native home because of famine and poverty. In building a better future for themselves in this country, Irish immigrants and their children were given the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to their new communities and to become vital and valued members of American society.
The United States has been unfailing in its encouragement for our efforts to find a lasting and peaceful settlement in Northern Ireland. We thank you, Mr. President, for your continued and strong commitment to the implementation of the Good Friday Agreement. We appreciate the support and encouragement that we have consistently received from your Administration, from our friends on both sides of the aisle in Congress and from so many ordinary Americans who wish to see us succeed.
When I signed the Good Friday Agreement some six years ago, I believed that it had the potential to transform relationships on the island of Ireland. Today, based on the progress we have seen at first hand, I am more convinced than ever of this. The priority now is to overcome the remaining challenges and finish the job, once and for all. Prime Minister Blair and I are, therefore, redoubling our efforts to resolve those issues that remain outstanding so that the promise and potential of the Agreement can be fully realised. We have invested enormous efforts in building our peace process. We intend to protect and preserve it.
The United States has also been a key partner in the significant economic development that Ireland has enjoyed in recent years. America is Irelands biggest foreign investor. We share a common approach to the values of enterprise and we work well with each other. Because of this partnership, Irelands future looks brighter and more prosperous than ever.
The opportunities that Irish emigrants once sought abroad are now to be found in Ireland. For the first time in over one hundred and fifty years, the number of those emigrating from our country has slowed to little more than a trickle.
Ireland is proud to hold the Presidency of the European Union at this time. I look forward to welcoming you to Ireland for the EU-US Summit at the end of June. During our Presidency, we will see ten new countries, eight of them from Eastern Europe, join the Union on May 1st. Like Ireland, many of these accession states already have historic ties with the United States and have large immigrant communities living here. The enlargement of the European Union will serve to strengthen the strong ties that already exist between Europe and the United States.
Europe and the United States share a common determination to overcome the evils of terrorism. Last week, we witnessed the wilful destruction of human life in Madrid. Many were reminded of the horrors of 9/11. Terrorism is an affront to our democracies. It strikes at the heart of all the values on which the United States and the European Union are founded. We are determined to ensure that our peoples are protected from this despicable scourge. As we celebrate here today, our thoughts and our prayers are also with the people of Spain.
St. Patrick used this simple shamrock to explain a basic principle of Christianity to the people of Ireland. More recently, we have come to regard it as a symbol of unity, conveying a powerful image of how people of diverse traditions and backgrounds can come together in the pursuit of a common cause. It is an emblem that Irish people and indeed, friends of Ireland, wear with great pride on this day. I present this gift of shamrock to you this morning as a token of our friendship and an acknowledgement of the special bond that exists between our two countries.
Thank You.
ENDS