Cox bows out as EP leader

Date: 06/05/04

EUROPEAN Parliament President Pat Cox said "hello" to MEPs from the ten new member states, while at the same time waving "goodbye" to the post he has held for two-and-a-half years.

The Irish Liberal used his final speech as the assembly's chairman in Strasbourg yesterday (5 May) to announce he will not be seeking re-election in June. Previously, Cox had welcomed former Polish president Lech Walesa (above, right) to the Parliament.