H.E. Mr. Miguel de Almeida e Sousa:

I am happy to see Deputy Howlin in good health. Regarding his questions, it is true that in the beginning the response given to the pandemic was very national in the sense that governments had to show their citizens that they were acting. However, President von der Leyen has said from the very beginning the EU was working on it without visibility. On many issues, one of the problems for the EU is that its work is not acknowledged or known but it is done. That is one of the European problems and it is a problem of perception. The EU has worked like a hut or covering and it has been very important on co-ordination as a result. It has created the forum where we can exchange information. It provided some alternatives and solutions for dealing with different aspects of the pandemic. Now people acknowledge there is a role for the European Commission but it started before it was known. I sat in Brussels for many years and I knew that sometimes outside the Council, we are keen to show there is a victory and we are successful when, in fact, often there is compromise so it is success for everyone and not only one member state. Sometimes it is a problem of presentation.

Regarding future treatments and vaccines, this is a global pandemic which will have a global solution. This will not be only inside the EU or the US. Today we heard from several laboratories that are exploring. They say it will be for the benefit of all humanity. The treatment will be worldwide. It is global because if we solve a problem on one side but not the other, it will come back. We need a global approach and it will come.

On nationalism in the EU, it is true that we have it in several countries. In Portugal, for example, we do not have it. It is not known but we have an unsolved problem with Spain regarding a small corner. The problem is still open but we do not discuss it.

We have a very pragmatic view that we will solve it. This dates from the 18th century so it is has been a long time.

We do not have nationalism but there is an increase. We were saying earlier that if people have a perception of the benefits of the European Union, Europe will answer to them. That will be the best solution to fighting nationalism. Every member state must apply the rule of law and the rules of democracy. We have to find balanced solutions to ensure that it will do so. I agree it is a big problem but the more successfully the European Union works, the less probability of this surge of nationalism being successful and it will diminish.

Regarding the protocol, it was signed by all member states so it is international law. It was ratified so it is untouchable. If there is no Brexit deal, we have to find solutions to ensure that what we intend to protect with the protocol will work. In terms of how we will do that, let us take one worry at a time.

Regarding Israel, I served as ambassador to Israel before coming to Ireland. One of the lessons I learned is that it is a country where nothing is obvious. I was still in Israel when the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Coveney, came to visit. He had a very good approach regarding Israel. Ireland, with the positions it has taken, is listened to carefully now. The problem with the Middle East is that there are different narratives. They fight for the same land, which is not very large. Some kind of solution will come. When one travels around Israel, and the officials with me may not see it, one will see that there is a consciousness that a two-state solution will come about. It will be needed. It is not forgotten. I know that the values and principles of the EU are presented every day. We have taken several measures and they made the Israeli Government reconsider some of its decisions and the statements. It is a region where, in the end, the victory comes from the one who speaks louder but what is behind it can sometimes be completely different. I can share with the members my experience in Israel. The position of the EU has not changed. It is two states for two peoples living in peace and security. That is the position also of several countries around it. I know it is difficult but as was said, it is full of ups and downs.

Regarding Catalonia, it is a Spanish internal problem. There are constitutional mechanisms to solve it. We hope they will be acting on those and the European Union can follow on that point. However, it is up to the Spanish regions to resolve the issue of how they can be together. If they decided to split, which I hope will never be the case, that will be a decision made by all of them. The problem must be treated within the constitutional framework of Spain.

The problem regarding the eastern Mediterranean is serious. Germany has an important role as mediator and the mediation is more or less working. It is an unsolved problem, of course, that the European Union is in solidarity with the member states involved but also has a responsibility to help in some way to find a solution which cannot be imposed; it must be decided by all of them.

These are problematic areas where one cannot impose a solution from the outside. It does not work like that. Where needed, one's role will be more efficient if one intervenes as mediator, adviser and encourager. However, if one tries to impose on some of the Catalan cases, I know it will be counterproductive.