The accession of Bulgaria and Romania to the European Union was "a defining moment" for both countries and "a great landmark for Europe", Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern said in Dublin last night.
Speaking at a reception in Iveagh House to welcome the two new member states, the Minister said the historic fifth enlargement of the EU was now complete and it was a reminder of the enormous political transformation that had taken place.
"A continent, once broken by war, economically ruined and ideologically divided, has been made whole again in peace and prosperity," he told an audience of EU diplomats and members of the Bulgarian and Romanian communities in Ireland.
Referring to the five Bulgarian nurses and the Palestinian doctor currently under sentence of death in Libya, he said: "Their conviction and sentence for allegedly deliberately infecting children is grotesque and unjust."
He said the Irish Government will continue to support Bulgaria to seek their release.
Commenting on the widespread media coverage of the celebrations in Bucharest and Sofia, Mr Ahern said the enthusiasm for EU membership displayed in both countries was impressive. Making a success of enlargement had been a key priority for Ireland's EU presidency in 2004.
"The accession of 10 new members that year has proved to be one of Europe's greatest achievements. At that time also, the negotiations with Bulgaria and Romania made important strides. We were pleased to have played our part in helping the accession process move forward," he said.
The EU provides a framework within which a country can prosper, Mr Ahern said.