Dr. Bujar Osmani:

I thank the Chair very much. What he has said will be music to our citizens' ears. This is what they want to hear from the European Union so that they can trust the process and so that there will be credibility behind this perspective. As I have said, Ireland has served as an inspiration for us as a success story within the European Union. The consistent support Ireland has been providing to us has been instrumental in the continuation of our endeavours to overcome the challenges we have been facing on the road. We are not saying that we are ready to join the EU tomorrow. We are asking to be introduced to the process that will get us ready to join the EU in five or ten years' time. Joining the EU is about meeting the criteria and going through that merit-based process. That is what we are asking for. Unfortunately, non-EU-related issues are impeding this relationship between the EU and the candidate countries. We are grateful for Ireland's clear stance in that regard. I thank the committee very much for providing me with this opportunity today.