Gerard Craughwell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

The ambassador is very welcome and I thank him for his presentation. Deputy Durkan and I do not agree fully on the benefits of expansion in Europe. I believe there is a point at which diminishing marginal returns from expansion kick in. Any expansion which takes place must be managed carefully and to the benefit of the Union rather than of the applying state. As to the issue of peace, I have visited that part of the world and it is truly beautiful. It is quite sad, however, that as one tries to move between the different states, one still senses hostility. It is a reflection of where things are right now. While it has underpinned peace in the wider European framework, the European project has not provided a peace association or club. We are a trading bloc and trade is what we are about. From that point of view, the European Union will support any efforts to underwrite peace in the region, but it is not there to guarantee it or to set it up. That is my view of it. This is something, as the ambassador said in his speech, that the states themselves must do. They must find the reconciliation that is required.

Reconciliation is difficult as there were quite a few bloody years in the region. A great deal of hurt and many open wounds remain to be healed. Reconciliation is the major issue for the western Balkans as it moves forward. Kosovo would be welcome in the European Union. I see no reason all of the western Balkans should not be part of the EU. While I support the accession of the region's countries, they must find that reconciliation and peace among themselves before they are welcomed in. In addition, the issue of free movement must be sorted out. Moving across the western Balkans must be seamless. The ambassador cannot be unaware of the way in which we in Ireland are trying to hold on to the seamless border we have. That is what the European project has to be about: seamless movement from one state to the next. One should be unaware as one travels where one is exactly with respect to which political entity is ruling a geographic area.

I am delighted the ambassador has attended. His speech was forthright and honest and I wish his country well as it makes its way forward to become part of the European project. I wish Kosovo the peace the ambassador's speech sought. I hope there is reconciliation. After all, we are all doing the same thing, which is to struggle our way through this life to our eternal rest, wherever that may bring us. We do not want it coming too soon. I appreciate greatly the ambassador's honesty and forthrightness and I thank him for coming.