Huge celebrations will take place in Ireland to mark the enlargement of the European Union, it was revealed today.
When the 10 new member states officially join on May 1st - during Ireland's EU presidency - Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Mr Dick Roche, is planning a nationwide party for the people of the Republic.
"We want to have the celebration out there on the streets, we want to have the people of Dublin, the people of Ireland, share the sense of history we will be creating in Europe," he said.
"This should be a celebration for the people, not for the men in suits.
"It is potentially a very exciting and a very symbolic time. Dublin will be reaching out to the eastern borders of Poland and the dream will actually come true."
The Taoiseach has invited the heads of state from all members of the European Council to attend an event in Dublin on May 1st.
But Mr Roche emphasised that it would just be a small ceremony - with the real celebrations taking place throughout Ireland.
He also revealed plans to create 10 "twin towns" in the Republic - one for each new EU member state.
Speaking about his preparations for the presidency, which Ireland will take over from Italy on January 1st, the Mr Roche said he was keen for the general public to play a part in the process.
He announced plans for an EU conference, to be held in April, aimed specifically at engaging the general public on European affairs. Mr Roche said details for the presidency are now being finalised.
Priorities include strengthening EU/UN relations following the Iraq war and building upon EU/US relations.
The Government is planning a potentially controversial EU/US summit in Ireland towards the end of its presidency and is expecting George W Bush to attend.
Asked about security concerns in light of the US leader's recent visit to England, Mr Roche said the country had a responsibility to fulfil its role as EU host.
"Even if we had disruption for one day, if there's an opportunity for us to bring some peace to the world, to fulfil our responsibility as the lead state of Europe, we should seize the day," he said.
"We should bring the world to our doorstep."
"Our presidency is now just over four weeks away and we have refined our priorities and are working on specific elements of the programme," he said.
"But our first priority is enlargement and we want to celebrate the enlargement.
"When it comes to a bit of craic and a celebration, Ireland is very good at that."
The 10 countries set to become EU member states in May 2004 are: Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Lithuania, Latvia, Malta, Poland, Slovenia and the Slovak Republic.
PA