Ms Marie Cross:

In the presentation we referred to the Hanseatic League – the term may not be welcome at European level – comprising the Nordic and Baltic countries. On the areas referred to by Senator Richmond, the migration budget, the Common Agricultural Policy, CAP, and climate change, those countries have a particular interest in them, although some of them have different views. For example, the Dutch have a somewhat different view on budgets. They are more in favour of budgets sustainability and the CAP. We are working not only with countries with which we have a close relationship on the CAP such as France but also with others which might have a different view. The idea is to convince them of our interests. This applies to EU budgets and climate change.

We are not at the forefront when it comes to migration. We have to make a point of showing empathy and understanding for those countries for which it is a significant issue. Across the European Union, migration is still at the forefront of the issues to be tackled.

Having been involved for many years in different Councils, relations at the European Council amount to an important issue. It is important for us to have good relations with our colleagues in each of the Councils. I have seen Ministers criss-crossing the floor to talk to Ministers of other member states. They have dinner meetings and breakfast meetings before Council meetings. There are groupings for the Benelux, the Nordic and Mediterranean member states. We are an outlier in that we do not have a natural grouping, but it is important that we have contacts at European Council level and with other member states. When one is talking to colleagues, one can explain and also listen. It is invaluable and most important.

As to whether we are bold children, each country has its difficulties, although we might believe we stand out because of the banking crisis. However, others have had banking crises too. Ironically, the Germans have come in for considerable criticism for the way they handled the banking crisis. Was there too much austerity? The Northern Ireland backstop is a specific problem, but the issue of EU unity is bigger than the backstop. When we had discussions with the Germans two weeks ago, they made the case to us that the major issue for the EU 27 was unity and its maintenance. They see it in the Northern Ireland backstop. A country has a problem, but other countries have had problems, including Cyprus and Malta. However, the issue of EU unity is paramount for other member states.

I am co-chair of the security and defence policy group in the institute. We have people talking about these issues from other member states’ views. In the next two weeks we will have a cyber security expert addressing us. There is no doubt that this is an issue for every country. On the EU leaders’ agenda, the first point they will approve is protecting citizens and freedom, as well as tackling hybrid threats and cyber security. The institute also has a cyber security committee. We are very much at the forefront in dealing with it and getting experts to talk to people about international threats as they see them.

We have to understand other member states on climate change. They all have different issues in that regard and we must put forward our particular priorities. However, we will have to deal with climate change collaboratively as we cannot do it on our own. It is another significant issue on the leaders’ agenda.