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Former Taoiseach Enda Kenny has been presented with a European of the Year award.<\/p>\nFormer Taoiseach Enda Kenny has been presented with a European of the Year award.<\/p>\n
European Movement Ireland is bestowing the honor on him for strengthening EU-Irish relations.<\/p>\n
Current Taoiseach Leo Varadkar presented the award this afternoon.<\/p>\n
Mr Varadkar said: “Enda Kenny is someone who has always stood up for Ireland, and for Europe.<\/p>\n
“Right from the start, he displayed a positive, consistently optimistic approach to solving problems, backed by a steely resolve which came to stand the country, and the EU, in very good stead.<\/p>\n
In 2011, when Enda became Taoiseach, our GDP had plummeted, unemployment had soared, and Ireland’s international reputation was in tatters.<\/p>\n
“Under his patient and determined leadership, he steered the country on a path to regain what was lost.<\/p>\n
“He had to fight for our national interests, but guiding his work at all times was his genuine appreciation of, and commitment to Europe.”<\/p>\n
The former Taoiseach said that Ireland’s membership of the EU has brought about many changes.<\/p>\n
Mr Kenny said: \u201cIreland\u2019s membership of the EU has transformed our country, from being backward, introverted and protectionist to outward-looking, export-oriented, with a globally confident people.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile Brexit is clearly of critical importance to us as an EU member, Europe as a global player cannot become absorbed with the issue to the neglect of its own future agenda and the place in the world of the European Union in 20 years\u2019 time.<\/p>\n
“It is Europe\u2019s value system that makes it so strong: peace, personal dignity, freedom, opportunity, privacy.<\/p>\n
\u201cA Europe that forges strong leadership and that shows real partnership can build a continent that is life giving, hopeful and popular and not one that is divisive, destructive and populist.\u201d<\/p>\n