As Ireland looked set to ratify the Nice Treaty, the President of the European Parliament Mr Pat Cox said the Irish electorate had "removed the last brick of the Berlin wall".
He described the ratification of the treaty as "a good result for Ireland and good result for Europe".
"The turnout is better, the level of understanding is higher and I believe Ireland has shown for all of western Europe that as the only people asked to vote that egoism and reconciliation is in".
He said it was now up to the political leaders in Europe to show they have listened and to deliver.
"The one lesson in this is that we can't take citizens for granted. If you want consent it is the job of politicians to engage in a calculus of consent. I believe that we have shown here in Ireland how it can be done."
He offered reassurance to no voters but accused some campaigners of being "opportunist" and "populist". He said concerns should be addressed on a case-by-case basis.
An ebullient Mr Cox said he was proud of his country and what he described as a clear signal that Ireland favoured enlargement.
"It's a rainy day in my country today but I think there is a great ray of sunshine shining eastwards telling people that the Irish have chose enlargement and chosen reconciliation as our message.
"I think symbolically we the Irish have removed the last brick of Berlin wall."
The Fine Gael leader Mr Enda Kenny said Ireland's Yes to Nice is an "historic decision for democracy and for the future of Europe."
"Ireland's YES proves the sophistication of the electorate," he added.