Since creation of the E.U. a half century ago, Europe has enjoyed the longest period of peace in its history.

Of course the EU and member states must work to ensure that people moving from one country to another understand their obligations and their rights in areas like health, road safety and further education.

Non-proliferation will only work if all states are willing to cooperate, and that will only happen if all feel they are being treated fairly.

We in Ireland have not been immune from the bigotry and the indifference which manifested itself in Europe this century

When the E.U. and the U.S. agree, other countries follow.

But our system of regulation must keep up with this. If it fails to keep up, it will hold back economic expansion. We need financial market regulation that works at national and European level.

The EU and the U.S. often work together to develop international standards. This is the case in fighting terrorism and transnational crime, advancing trade liberalization, and combating piracy and intellectual property violations.