Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Chair very much. The Minister is very welcome and I thank him for his presentation and for his kind comments in respect of the Irish position. As Dr. Osmani knows and mentioned in his speech, we joined the European Union 50 years ago and, of course, it was France which was blocking the UK accession to the then EEC.

As a result, we could not join if the UK was not allowed to join at that time. We understand other countries blocking a country's accession and we sympathise with North Macedonia in that regard. I think my colleagues have asked the questions I had in mind but perhaps I could draw out some more information from Dr. Osmani on that matter. On the 60% support for EU accession, the decline in support is understandable based on what Dr. Osmani said about the frustration of the electorate regarding progress. Deputy Ó Murchú mentioned outside influences and Dr. Osmani referred to a vacuum. Will he expand on that further? Does he mean a Russian influence attempting in some way to scupper North Macedonia's plans? I would be interested to know who Dr. Osmani thinks is filling the vacuum or who may, potentially.

My other question relates to the whole region and the Western Balkans. I appreciate what Dr. Osmani said about the requirements of European security and the need to take into account geopolitical considerations as well as the Copenhagen criteria. We support North Macedonia in that regard because of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the changed situation. It seems to me that the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, is very supportive of North Macedonia's application. As Dr. Osmani mentioned, the Commission is happy generally with what North Macedonia has done but it seems she is particularly invested in this, having regard to the visits she has made to North Macedonia. Regarding the Western Balkans, Serbia, Albania, North Macedonia, Kosovo, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro, is North Macedonia's application tied up with progress in those countries? Does Dr. Osmani feel North Macedonia can break free from the Western Balkans and have its application accepted on its own merits? How does it fit into the politics of the Western Balkans region and the applicant countries? Is North Macedonia being held back because of the lack of progress by its neighbours?