Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I might ask a question or two, although a great deal of ground has been covered.

It is important for us to have this dialogue with Mrs. Bojadjieska Ristovski and we greatly appreciate her attendance. Since February, there has understandably been a focus on the three applicant states, one of which is under direct assault. The ambassador of another applicant state is present with us. There was a concern in some applicant states that considered themselves to be much further advanced that they would somehow be eclipsed by the focus on the applications of Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova. I would be interested in hearing Mrs. Bojadjieska Ristovski's perspective on that. Was there a fear that a new focus would delay the advance in the accession route of countries such as her own? What was the official view in North Macedonia?

We have a particular understanding of some of the questions that North Macedonia had to address in terms of almost defining nationality, particularly with neighbours who were assertive of their own nationality and did not want any exclusion of their minority populations, including language and name. Has that been the most difficult issue to address? In addressing it, and speaking from our own experience, it can be an opportunity for opposition political voices to divide public opinion in terms of the value of advancing in the direction of the EU.