Flags of all 25 EU members raised together for first time

(1 May 2004)
1. Irish presidential palace
2. Guard of honour
3. Various shots of the 25 flags raising, UPSOUND: "Ode to Joy", Beethoven''s Ninth Symphony, Europe''s official anthem
4. Various shots of the new EU blue flag with 25 yellow stars, UPSOUND of the "Ode to Joy"
5. Various shots of European leaders applauding and greeting each other
6. Polish President Aleksander Kwasniewski hugging Irish Prime Minister and current President of the European Council Bertie Ahern
7. British Prime-Minister Tony Blair kissing Tassos Papadopoulos, Cyprus'' President
8. Ceremony
9. European leaders climbing up to a platform for the photo opportunity
10. Media
11. Wide shot of the 25 leaders preparing for photo-op
12. Various shots of European leaders chatting
13. European leaders posing to photographers
14. Media
15. European leaders finishing photo-op
STORYLINE:
With an emotional and symbolic raising of national flags, European Union leaders welcomed in a new era of continental unity on Saturday as 10 new members joined the bloc, marking an end to Cold War divisions.
Presidents and prime ministers from Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Cyprus and Malta stood alongside the leaders from the 15 longer-standing EU nations to mark the occasion.
"Finally we have realized our dreams," said Polish President Aleksander Kwasniewski.
British Prime Minister Tony Blair called the expansion a "great day for Europe and a great day for Britain."
Under clear blue skies in front of the Irish president''s palatial residence, Irish Nobel laureate Seamus Heaney read a poem praising the rebirth of Europe.
"On a day when newcomers appear, let it be a homecoming," he said.
Children from each of the 25 EU states presented leaders with their national flags and the EU''s gold-starred royal blue ensign.
The flags were later hoisted while a choir and orchestra performed the Ode to Joy, Beethoven''s Ninth Symphony, Europe''s official anthem.
Kwasniewski then led the leaders in spontaneous hugging and handshaking as Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Medgyessy fought back tears.
The leaders were to continue their celebrations with a sit-down dinner.

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