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

Like everyone else, I welcome our guests and thank them for their presentations.

I have been around for a while and was a member of this committee when Turkey first made its application for membership of the European Union. There was a lot of hope and anticipation at that particular time. The aspirations faded somewhat in the meantime.

Similarly, on North Macedonia, I would have a strong opinion on the strategic importance of the western Balkans for a great number of reasons - geopolitical, historical, and the need to ensure there is recognition in the western Balkans that the European Union is a friend, and in particular, a friend in need. We need to look at it in that light.

There are those across Europe who would say that we should consolidate Europe. We should consolidate all of the time. That is part of the business of nations coming and growing together. We should also, however, be alert at all times to those who have an aspiration to join the union. If we close those doors or allow them to fade, then interest fades, particularly among the applicant and the potential applicant countries. That is not good for the European Union or for the applicant countries or for the geopolitical situation globally.

I, like my colleagues, have concerns about the issues raised by the European Union in respect of Turkey. That is not being critical but being objective. I acknowledge the work done by Turkey with refugees from the adjoining wars over the past number of years, very often, when others were slow to respond.

That must be recognised.

We need to recognise the need for applicant countries to be in line with the acquis communautairewithin the European Union. If a huge difference arises during the course of the negotiations, it does not make for an early or satisfactory conclusion. Colleagues have referred to the rule of law, humanitarian issues and the fact that there are similar issues in various parts of the European Union. Given the size of Turkey and its position alongside the European Union, virtually on its doorstep, it is important that there is a good relationship between the two. In the future we will need to nurture those discussions taking place, help them along and do everything possible to ensure we do not drift further apart. The danger in drifting further apart is that a different association will be formed, which will be to the advantage neither of applicant countries nor of the European Union and an opportunity will be missed. It is important for all countries, developed and developing, to recognise that we all have a contribution to make to the creation of a situation that is amenable to the objectives, one of which should and must be Turkish membership of the European Union in the shorter rather than the longer term.

Every generation has its challenges. How we will deal with them remains to be seen. In the first half of the 20th century, Europe had several challenges. Unfortunately, there was a vast cost to the resolution of those challenges, both within Europe and globally, and there was a loss of life as a result of the failure to address issues that should and could have been addressed by negotiations but were not. We must learn from those lessons, move on from here and try to ensure that the same mistakes are not made again.

Turkey is a large country with a large population and influence and must be treated as such by the European Union. Turkey can have a truly stabilising effect in the region. Sadly, the smaller countries in the western Balkans have had a tragic history as well and paid a huge price. They were minions in the issues that took place in their vicinity, over the heads, without discussion with them and over which they had no control. The danger is that we might miss the opportunity to bring them closer, welcome them towards the European Union and encourage them. If we play our cards right on both sides of that debate, I think we will be able to do well. We have the ability to do well and to bring everybody together. If we decide we want to become obstinate, go in different directions and assume a position of playing hard to get, I think there will be a disaster and, given the tendencies in some quarters of the globe at present, I would fear for peace and stability in the future, unless there is a move towards the kind of thing we have been talking about.