Enlargement of the European Union presented a "challenge to the whole European continent", according to Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg, who arrived in Dublin for a three-day State visit yesterday.
He said Ireland and Luxembourg had shown how smaller countries could thrive as EU members. "However, our common success stories also give us new and additional responsibilities."
Enlargement meant that, "for the first time, the Union will welcome aboard long-lost cousins who, through the adversities of international politics, have been separated from the western fringes of the Continent for more than half a century."
He said Ireland and Luxembourg had a great deal in common. "Both our countries have suffered in the past from foreign domination. Today we both are working together with our partners in the important and historic process of European integration."
The President, Mrs McAleese, told the Grand Duke his country had shown "the potential which smaller states have to shape not just their own destiny but the destiny of the European continent".
The schedule for the first day of the visit included a meeting with the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, and a State dinner at Dublin Castle.