Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the ambassador and thank him for appearing before the committee. I congratulate all parties to the discussion that is taking place at present, which represents a great opportunity. Forty years is a long time and many changes have taken place. There has been considerable polarisation and things do not heal with the passage of time when there is division. Given our experience here, I hope there can be continuity of the discussions now taking place with both sides committed to resolving the issues, regardless of their causes 40 years ago. Going back 40 years will not resolve them so we have to move on from here.

Special emphasis should be placed on the positive aspects of what is likely to take place - the issues both sides have in common as opposed to the issues that divide them. The time will come to deal with the divisive issues, but the first issues to be addressed are obviously those of common interest to both sides which both sides are prepared to concentrate on resolving.

It is a good idea that the meetings are taking place three times a week. I presume it is Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The reason for spacing out the meetings is to give time to both sides to consider their positions, to address issues that may arise and to be able to move forward having considered the issues themselves. In addition, it is good that they have decision-making power. Recognising that the negotiating parties have that power does two things. First, they must have the confidence of the respective groups they represent, which they obviously have. They, in turn, will respect that.

The time has come for us Europeans to deal with issues of such a nature. We cannot go on forever living in the past, referring retrospectively to the issues that caused division. The time has come for us all to prove what we can do outside Europe. When Europeans emigrate outside Europe, we get along very well together, as we have shown in the United States, Australia and elsewhere. That raises the question as to why it should be so difficult to resolve issues in our own backyard, for want of a better description.

I believe it would be greatly beneficial to Europe, the solidarity in Europe, the relationship between the two parts of Cyprus, and the relationship between Greece and Turkey, which is also important. That is because of the European Union's ongoing partnership negotiations and its neighbourhood policy. I hope this is an historic event that will lead to a satisfactory conclusion. I do not believe either can afford to conclude without reaching a solution. It would be a sad reflection on the ability of two groups of people within the European Union not to be able to come to an amicable settlement.