The European Union Visitors Programme is a little-known but useful initiative of the EU to show the rest of the world what we do. Each year, some 150 people from all over the world are invited to spend two to three weeks in Europe. They visit the Commission in Brussels, attend a European Parliament session in Strasbourg, and visit two member states to follow a particular line of enquiry. The European Parliament and European Commission offices in the countries concerned arrange their programme.
Recent visitors to Ireland under this programme have included a university lecturer and head of department from Tallinn, Estonia, interested in how this country goes about teaching Irish in an EU context; an adviser to the governor of a US state, looking at transatlantic issues, particularly trade; a Bolivian journalist and television presenter, looking at the possible development of EU trade links with south America; an Egyptian vet, an Australian cattle-lobbyist and a Palestinian journalist. Ireland's recent economic success has increased the level of interest shown by these visitors in this country. So far, the almost inexhaustible courtesy of those we call on to meet them has never been in question. Thanks to you all.