Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail)
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I do not want to repeat what other speakers have said. I welcome the ambassador and deputy ambassador and congratulate them on the work they have been doing and the reforms their countries have been implementing. I wish them well in their endeavours. It is good to hear that there is strong domestic support for EU membership in Albania and Montenegro. In my previous contribution, I mentioned that Ireland had benefitted greatly from membership of the European Union since joining in 1973 and we do not want to be seen to be pulling up the ladder. We have enjoyed its benefits and enlargement will enhance the Union. It is important to note that the membership of the witnesses' countries will ensure peace and stability in the region and in Europe as a whole. In particular, I congratulate Albania on the initiation or approval of accession talks, which represents great progress.

On a point of clarification, albeit it is not that important, Ireland has a policy of military neutrality and is not in NATO. We avoid military alliances. However, that has not impacted on our membership of the European Union at all. For historic reasons, it is very important for the security and so on of the witnesses' countries but as a neutral state, we also can play a very important role in the EU.