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05 March 2014

President Barroso: European Commission 'on the side of Ireland'


Barroso praised Ireland's recovery efforts and said that the Commission will continue to support Ireland following its successful exit from the EU/IMF financial assistance programme.

"The European Commission has always been on the side of Ireland, one could even say one of your best friends. During the EU/IMF programme, I personally made the case to other European leaders for lower interest rates and longer maturities on Ireland's loans. And I have always said that the commitments euro area Member States made in June 2012 should be fully respected, not just in terms of the letter of the agreement but also in terms of the spirit. This is a message I am happy to repeat here tonight. The European Commission will continue to stand by Ireland now that you have exited the programme."

President Barroso praised Ireland's recovery efforts and said that the country has become an example for others. "Today Ireland's experience and expertise can directly benefit other European countries who are still working through their programmes. They are interested in the way you helped bring about an effective turnaround", he said. "The OECD is increasingly citing best practice examples drawn from the Irish economy. Ireland has returned to "normal" in EU terms and I really expect it to engage and to use its influence in Europe to help us shape the right policies for the post-crisis era."

Concluding his speech, President Barroso said: "Europe is not something that happens despite the wishes of European people. No. Europe has to be built in partnership, with and for the Member States and European citizens. That is why I am so keen that there is a real debate on European issues from a European point of view with European citizens.

I've been constantly saying... that Europe is not just Brussels or Strasbourg or Luxembourg. Europe is also Cork, Europe is also Ireland, and I think a point that we have to agree is to have this responsibility together, not speaking of the European Union as a kind of a foreign power. No. We are all members of the Union, we have all our responsibilities, including, of course, the politicians, the political leaders.

Sometimes they tend to recognise that - in other cases, this is not the case in Ireland - it is very common to say when things go right it's the merit of national politicians, when things go wrong, it is the problem of Brussels, the so-called nationalisation of success and Europeanisation of failure. This is a very important idea of responsibility... So, my appeal to you, and to all our fellow citizens in European Union, is when there is a disagreement, please engage, never turn your backs on Europe. I think it is extremely important to engage in that debate."

Full speech



© European Commission


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