11.05.2004 - Press Release on the Welcome New Europe Action Week Not on the fence: students say YES to expansion Students have been celebrating the EU expansion all across the continent this week at a host of events organised by the European Students' Forum AEGEE. From fairs and festivals to debates and demonstrations, from Helsinki to Valletta and from Brussels to Tblisi, the message in 42 countries from 17.000 voices was the same: Welcome, New Europe! Amongst many other events, the last ten days saw a series of debates, discussions and simulations organised across Poland; major events took place in Warsaw, Katowice, Poznan, Rzezow, Bydgoszcz, Lublin, and Gdansk, where a cultural festival was organised for young visitors from all over Europe. Meanwhile in Malta, AEGEE-Valletta took a key role in the official celebrations as well as running an awareness campaign among young Maltese in co-operation with the European Parliament. The celebrations took on a more poignant note in Cyprus, which entered the EU still suffering from division after 30 years. At its general assembly held in Ohrid in April, AEGEE called for a constructive solution to be found as soon as possible, to the benefit of the two Cypriot communities and the future of Europe. AEGEE hopes that the mutually dependent processes of expansion and integration in the EU will continue. We strongly believe that these benefit all the peoples of Europe, both within and beyond the present EU, and that the only alternative to further progress on this path is stagnation and decay. Nicola Rega, President of AEGEE-Europe, explained: "AEGEE has worked actively for integration among young Europeans since its foundation in 1985, and we are very happy and proud to see one of our long-cherished dreams finally come true." As one of the pioneers of European integration, proud of its bold efforts to overcome prejudice and unite young Europeans, inspired by Europe's unity in diversity, AEGEE takes special pride on this very special Europe Day that the greatest EU enlargement ever has finally been achieved. Welcome, New Europe! AEGEE is one of Europe's largest interdisciplinary and voluntary student associations, operating without being linked to any political party, promoting a unified Europe, cross-border co-operation, communication and integration in academic environment, and at the same time striving to create an open and tolerant society by involving students and young graduates in valuable projects and discussions over the topics of importance for the communities they live in It is represented in 260 university cities, in 42 countries all around Europe and has about 17000 members. More information: Ewa Solarczyk Vice-President / Director for Public Relations European Students' Forum - AEGEE Rue Nestor de Tiere 15 1030 Bruxelles Phone: +32 2 245 23 00 Fax: +32 2 245 62 60 Web: www.aegee.org Email: [log in to unmask]