Diolch yn fawr iawn am ddod yma heddiw i ddathlu penblwydd EFA gyda ni ac i edrych ymlaen at y blynyddoedd i ddod. Mae Plaid Cymru wedi chwarae rol allweddol mewn ffurfio a chynnal EFA. Mae rhaid i ni ddangos i bobl Cymru ein bod ni'n rhan o fudiad byd eang sy'n ymgyrchu dros gyfiawnder, cyfartaledd a heddwch.

We are still campaigning for translation in the European Parliament and for a status for the Welsh Language within the European Union.

We in EFA are part of a worldwide movement working for equality, peace and justice. We are the voices of the real nations and regions and peoples of Europe. We have talked about our rights to speak our own languages, but we also need a voice on an international level. EFA has been that voice.

There is now overwhelming evidence that small countries are better placed to succeed in this increasingly globalised economy. And on a European level the smaller countries could actually determine the future direction of the European Union - Europe needs us. People used to laugh at us for talking about Wales as an independent member of the EU, but now that six European member states are smaller than Wales they don't laugh any more. They see it's possible. As small countries we have to think big.

That's what the founders of EFA did. They had a vision. They could see that there were parties throughout Europe standing up for stateless nations and minority groups. But no-one was bringing those parties together - to work together - to give us a voice.

So they can be very proud that the voice has become so strong that we can fill the hemicycle!

We in Plaid Cymru-The Party of Wales are grateful to EFA for its inspiration, friendship and support over the twenty three years we have been members. As an MEP I am grateful to EFA for the pleasure of having worked with such talented and dedicated members of Parliament, past and present.

Winnie Ewing, "We are not just the dreamers of dreams, we are the movers and shakers". Thank you to the dreamers in 1981 who also turned out to be effective movers and shakers and brought EFA to life. It is the responsibility of all of us here now from all of our different peoples and parties to make sure EFA goes from strength to strength.