Bono has vowed to help reverse growing Euroscepticism by “romancing” the idea of the EU.

The U2 frontman has been an outspoken critic of Brexit and recently began flying the EU flag at his band’s concerts in what he called a “radical act” in support of the bloc.

That earned him an invitation to the European parliament, where he met its president, Antonio Tajani, on Wednesday.

Arriving at the meeting in Brussels, Bono said: “I probably have a role to play in romancing the idea of being a European and seeing it as something warm blooded.

“Europe is a thought that needs to become a feeling and as an artist I’m in the service of that.”

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The 58-year-old singer, whose real name is Paul Hewson, was set to discuss what role he can play in promoting next year’s European elections.

The EU’s leadership are concerned that a repeat of the record low turnout in 2014 would help Eurosceptic parties and are spending £29m on a communication campaign designed to boost participation.

Asked whether he would contribute to those efforts by writing a special ‘song for Europe’, Bono replied he would be making a “song and a dance” about what he believes are the bloc’s benefits.

He said European artists needed to reply to growing populism with inspiration from the US.

“You think about the mythology of America, you think about Hollywood, and how Hollywood perpetuated the idea of the American dream,” he said.

🇪🇺 Europe and its freedom are our dream. We must stand by and support them by revamping our common project. Flying the EU flag at concerts makes a strong statement. Thank you for your engagement, Bono. pic.twitter.com/zKBfCzyQQa — Antonio Tajani (@EP_President) October 10, 2018





“It’s hard to imagine when you think about artists involved in the project of Europe – it’s not that many. And I think we need more as people are questioning Europe.”

The Irish performer admitted that the EU can appear a “complex” system but argued there is a “brain that is strategically working to improve the lives of Europeans” behind the “body politic.”

Bono gave Tajani a book of poetry by Seamus Heaney which he said had helped make him realise he was European as well as Irish.

Tajani said: “I want to thank Mr Bono for his engagement in favour of Europe. Europe is not only the European Central Bank, not only the Euro, not only our European institution. Europe is our life, Europe is our history. Europe is our culture, Europe is our singers.

“I want to thank you very much for your strong engagement before the next European elections.”

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As well as next year’s elections, Bono and Tajani was set to discuss the EU’s role in the economic development of Africa.

“While American is on its holidays from big ideas we should sit across the table with our African partners and take over the world,” Bono said in reference to the “America first” policy of US president Donald Trump.

One thing that did not come up at the meeting was tax, a European parliament spokesperson told reporters on Monday.

Anti-poverty campaigner Bono has been branded a hypocrite after admitting to minimising his tax bill by basing some business ventures in the Netherlands, where there is a lower rate than in his native Republic of Ireland. He was also named in the Paradise Papers leak.

But the spokesperson said: “I doubt the president will be discussing his personal tax status with him.”



