H.E. Ms Karen Van Vlierberge:

As I said earlier, they always say that the best of the European Union is our Internal Market. I believe the best of the European Union and the cornerstone is our rule of law, our democracy and our values. The members referred to candidate countries and enlargement, and I referred to that. We are very much in favour of enlargement because it is a geostrategic investment not only in peace and security but also in stability and well-being. While we are so very in favour of enlargement, it is enlargement that is based on merits. This means the Copenhagen criteria should be respected and should be implemented. A very important part of the key is all about democracy and rule of law. It is there. Belgium is also really looking forward, as are other EU countries, and I am sure Ireland will join that position, to the rule of law dialogue that takes place every year and now that we are expecting it for June. It is a rule of law dialogue of all the member states so we are very much in favour of broadening it and also involving the candidate countries. If that happens, it will be even more important to show them that when they are preparing and when they are transforming governance and their legislation to respond to and be compliant with the Copenhagen criteria, they are also already part of that peer pressure and peer review that the rule of law dialogue is all about. We really are in favour of getting the candidate countries involved in that process.