Eric Byrne (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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I thank Mr. Fouéré for his fascinating contribution. I thank him and the Chairman for vindicating me in so far as my analytical position on Ukraine was not shared before now. I had rows with Mr. Pat Cox who, based on conversations he had in Ukraine, concluded that everything was hunky-dory in that country. Based on my limited experience of working in Luhansk and Donetsk, I knew we had not fully understood the position of people in east Ukraine who have an affiliation to Russia and speak the Russian language. Mistakes were made in Kiev, for example, in banning the Russian language. Having ploughed a lonely furrow on this issue, I am pleased the Chairman, following his visit to the country, concurs with my view, as I believe does Mr. Fouéré.

I am trying to apportion blame. It is a major disappointment to learn that former the Soviet President, Mr. Gorbachev, stated only the other day that Europe had lost its way.

In view of all Mr. Gorbachev did in restructuring the Soviet Union, does Mr. Fouéré concur with him?

I have the height of respect for the OSCE, not just as an election monitoring machine but also as a more a more substantive organisation. My reading of the role of the OSCE in Ukraine is that it is playing a very important role in monitoring missions and its engagement in the peace process. It is able to communicate far more and in an easier way that the EU representatives. I have two questions, the first of which relates to Mr. Gorbachev and his analysis of the role and significance of Europe; and second, the role of the OSCE and whether it can be strengthened to become a flag for peace?