The President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, met with Irish President Michael D. Higgins in Dublin on Friday.
They assembly came about on Metsola’s 2nd day within the Republic of Ireland the place she is on a discuss with to mark fifty years for the reason that nation joined the European Union.
Metsola thanked Higgins for welcoming 70,000 Ukrainian refugees fleeing Russia’s invasion to Ireland.
Speaking in entrance of Irish MPs on Thursday, Metsola mentioned the European Union’s persevered improve for Kyiv, pronouncing the EU would stand at Ukraine’s aspect for so long as it takes.
She mentioned: “For 343 days now Russia’s brutal and illegal invasion of sovereign independent Ukraine and the bravery of Ukrainian people remind us that progress and justice cannot be taken for granted. Democracy cannot be taken for granted. Europe cannot be taken for granted.”
The Maltese MEP additionally paid emotional tributes to murdered journalist Veronica Guerin, who was once shot in June 1996 whilst her automotive was once stopped at a site visitors gentle out of doors Dublin, and 23-year-old instructor Ashling Murphy, who was once killed whilst out jogging in January final 12 months.
Metsola mentioned that EU efforts have “intensified” to offer protection to ladies from violence, a subject matter on which she has been vocal since starting her tenure as president of the EU’s parliament at the 18th January 2022, the similar day as Ashling Murphy’s funeral.
